Novel neurotherapeutics in psychiatry: use and rationale of transcranial direct current stimulation in major depressive disorder

Author(s)

Adriano H. Moffa ; Leandro Valiengo ; Pedro Shiozawa ^[3] ; André Russowsky Brunoni

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY; v. 41, n. 1, p. 15-20, 2014-04-00.

Abstract

Background : Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a novel non-pharmacological intervention being investigated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Objective : To perform an updated review of tDCS for MDD. Method : Systematic review in Medline/PubMed and other databases of all clinical studies evaluating the clinical efficacy of tDCS in MDD, from the first date available to December/2013. Results : Out of 55 articles, 24 were included, being 6 open-label studies; 8 randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trials; 2 follow-up studies; 2 meta-analyses and 6 case reports. We observed an improvement of 20-40% in depressive symptoms, being slightly better in open studies. Five randomized clinical trials displayed positive results. The meta-analyses presented mixed results; although none included the study of Brunoni et al. (2013) that represents almost 50% of the evaluated sample. Open-label studies and case reports also investigated tDCS in bipolar depression, post-stroke depression and employed different parameters of stimulation. Discussion : TDCS is a novel, promising treatment for MDD. Definite evidence from large, ongoing clinical trials will be available in the next years. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/20911-5 - Escitalopram and transcranial direct current stimulation in major depressive disorder: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, non-inferiority trial
• Grantee: Andre Russowsky Brunoni
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants