The transcranial direct current stimulation refers to a process that involves the simulation of a brain area using some constant but low current. This form of neuron-stimulation involves the delivery of this current to the brain area using some electrodes that are carefully placed on a scalp. The procedure was initially developed to help treat patients diagnosed with brain injuries like strokes. As studies and research about the same have advanced, tDCS has been known to help increase cognitive person with relation to a variety of tasks.
Depending on the part or area of the brain being stimulated, this practice has helped in activities such as the enhancing of language, attention span, problem solving, memory loss, mathematical abilities and some coordination activities. Its use has been developing over the years and more research studies have been conducted to check its positive and negative effects. The stimulation is now frequently used because it is safe for human use as along some safety protocols are maintained.
The stimulation is done by passing some constant and direct current flow to the region of interest on the head using some electrodes. These electrodes are placed carefully on the scalp. They must be carefully placed at the designated areas to induce intracerebral current flow. If placed at the wrong areas, the process could result into some faults.
This current is then intended to raise or reduce the level of excitement by the neurons in the brain point of interest. The change effected causes the brain to react differently and thus induce some activities. This is what helps in enhancing some functions like attention span.
The stimulation process is a relatively simple procedure that only requires a simple set up. It requires you to have two electrodes and a battery powered device which is going to be used to deliver constant current. The device has a cathode and an anode. The anode is the positively charged electrode while the cathode is the negatively charged one. The current is conventionally known as to flow from the anode to the cathode through the conducting tissue which in this case are the neurons.
To start the procedure, you need to set up the equipment correctly. The skin where the electrodes are supposed to be placed is prepared properly in order for the electrodes to have a strong connection to the scalp. The pads come in different sizes. The smaller their size, the more they are able to focus to the current on the specified target to give a more desired result.
The electrode to complete a circuit can be placed on the neck, shoulder or opposite side of the first electrode. Current is then let to flow through and can be increased gradually. After the process is started, current will flow for the set time and then turn off automatically.
In modern studies, it has been noticed that this process can be improved by using more than two electrodes. These small multiple electrodes are able to cover a larger and more specific cortical structures than the use of sponge electrodes. This in turn generates more and longer lasting excitement changes thus making them much more effective.
Depending on the part or area of the brain being stimulated, this practice has helped in activities such as the enhancing of language, attention span, problem solving, memory loss, mathematical abilities and some coordination activities. Its use has been developing over the years and more research studies have been conducted to check its positive and negative effects. The stimulation is now frequently used because it is safe for human use as along some safety protocols are maintained.
The stimulation is done by passing some constant and direct current flow to the region of interest on the head using some electrodes. These electrodes are placed carefully on the scalp. They must be carefully placed at the designated areas to induce intracerebral current flow. If placed at the wrong areas, the process could result into some faults.
This current is then intended to raise or reduce the level of excitement by the neurons in the brain point of interest. The change effected causes the brain to react differently and thus induce some activities. This is what helps in enhancing some functions like attention span.
The stimulation process is a relatively simple procedure that only requires a simple set up. It requires you to have two electrodes and a battery powered device which is going to be used to deliver constant current. The device has a cathode and an anode. The anode is the positively charged electrode while the cathode is the negatively charged one. The current is conventionally known as to flow from the anode to the cathode through the conducting tissue which in this case are the neurons.
To start the procedure, you need to set up the equipment correctly. The skin where the electrodes are supposed to be placed is prepared properly in order for the electrodes to have a strong connection to the scalp. The pads come in different sizes. The smaller their size, the more they are able to focus to the current on the specified target to give a more desired result.
The electrode to complete a circuit can be placed on the neck, shoulder or opposite side of the first electrode. Current is then let to flow through and can be increased gradually. After the process is started, current will flow for the set time and then turn off automatically.
In modern studies, it has been noticed that this process can be improved by using more than two electrodes. These small multiple electrodes are able to cover a larger and more specific cortical structures than the use of sponge electrodes. This in turn generates more and longer lasting excitement changes thus making them much more effective.
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