Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Treatment-resistant Depression

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive method that shifts membrane potential towards hypo- or hyperpolarization and therefore leads to functional changes in a discrete area of the cerebral cortex.

Neurophysiological studies have shown that slow changes in cortical scalp potential reflect overall activity of cortical neuronal networks. These scalp potentials reflect shifts in membrane potentials of the cortical neurons. Over the past 7 years tDCS has evolved as an important tool to non-invasively manipulate specific neural circuits of the human brain.

The purpose of this study is an investigation of tDCS applied to 20 therapy-resistance major depressive patients. Our hypothesis is that tDCS may exert an antidepressant effect and/or enhances the medication effect. tDCS will be examined in the framework of a placebo-controlled clinical pilot-study investigating effectiveness, safety and influence on EEG parameters. Patients will receive anodal DC stimulation or sham stimulation (extra designed placebo-stimulator) in a double-blind design over 10 days for each condition. Outcomes will be evaluated using several clinical, psychiatric and neuropsychological rating scales.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-75 years
• At least moderate major depressive episode (DSM IV criteria).
• Stable total pre-treatment Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score ≥18
• Therapy-resistance during current depressive episode (according to ATHF).
• The patient must be in the condition to understand the patient-information, as well as the necessary examinations. He/she must be able to give a written consent.
• Stable antidepressant medication, that is retained during the study- duration, from at least three weeks before the begin of the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Existence of a care/legal incapacity
• Existing pregnancy
• Severe psychiatric illness (with exception of affective disorder)
• Acute suicidality
• Drug-, medication- or alcohol dependence
• Dementia according to DSM IV / ICD 10-criterions
• Severe TBI in the anamnesis
• Indications of structural damage of the basal ganglia or the brain stem
• Severe neurological disorders (e.g. M. Parkinson, epilepsy, discus-prolapse, dementia, systemic neurological illnesses, normal pressure hydrocephalus, cerebrovascular diseases, elevated intracranial pressure, in the last 6 months, polyneuropathies).
• Severe other medical conditions, like manifest arterial hypertonia, severe heart disease, pacemakers, respiratory failure, malignant illnesses all type, also in the history, active infectious diseases, skeletal disorders (like M. Paget, osteoporosis with spontaneous fractures, fresh fractures)
• Other circumstances, that speaks against a participation of the patient pinion of MD at this study.