Application of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of cognitive disorders in depressive disorder and bipolar disorder

Authors

  • Andrea Barbaro Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta; Corresponding author: andrea.barbaro@unicampania.it
  • Chiara Giacobbe Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta
  • Gabriella Santangelo Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta

Keywords:

Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, tDCS, Cognition, Non-pharmacological treatment

Abstract

Cognitive decline is a condition that significantly affects the daily functioning and quality of life of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD). For this reason, the identification of an effective treatment in the recovery of cognitive functions in these psychiatric conditions is very important. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-pharmacological treatment consisting in the administration of a low-intensity direct current through electrodes in order to induce a modulation of cortical excitability and, therefore, could provide a possible solution to this need. Numerous studies have reported about the efficacy of the application of tDCS in the recovery of cognitive abilities in neurological and psychiatric patients. Research based on the use of this tool in the enhancement of cognitive functions in subjects with MDD and BD has shown encouraging, but still inconclusive results. The present study is a literature review conducted with the aim of exploring in a thoroughly the effectiveness of tDCS treatment in reducing the severity of cognitive impairments in patients with MDD and BD. The results showed that tDCS, in combination or not with cognitive training and/or appropriate pharmacological treatment, is effective in improving certain cognitive domains in these patients.

 

doi: 10.53240/2024topic2.033.002

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Published

2024-05-16

How to Cite

Barbaro, A., Giacobbe, C., & Santangelo, G. (2024). Application of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of cognitive disorders in depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. TOPIC - Temi Di Psicologia dell’Ordine Degli Psicologi Della Campania, 3(2). Retrieved from https://topic.oprc.it/index.php/topic/article/view/82