Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29066167›Full record

ReviewBrain stimulation

The effects of medication use in transcranial direct current stimulation: A brief review.

Molly E McLaren, Nicole R Nissim, Adam J Woods

2 registry-linked trialsOpen access · greenAbstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Brain stimulation. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 83 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
83citing papers in PubMed, 6 pooled it
7.3field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04780152 phase2 / phase3unknown statusnot on this map

Assessment of Efficacy and Safety of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) in Pediatric and Teenage Patients With Major Depressive Disorder During COVID-19 Pandemics

TypeinterventionalSponsorEl Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia Manuel Velasco SuarezRan2021 to 2022Enrolled172ConditionsMajor Depressive DisorderArmsTranscranial Direct Current Stimulation, Placebo-simulation of transcranial direct current stimulation, Fluoxetine Tablets
NCT04964427 nacompletednot on this map

The Effects of Methylphenidate (MPH) and Non-invasive Brain Stimulation (tDCS) on Inhibitory Control Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

TypeinterventionalSponsorBambino Gesù Hospital and Research InstituteRan2021 to 2022Enrolled26ConditionsAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderArmsMethylphenidate, anodal tDCS, sham tDCS
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

83 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 138 citations in OpenAlex.

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  8. Transcranial direct current stimulation is safe and feasible in hyperacute ischemic stroke (DICAST-SF trial).Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2026
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  13. Active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved quality of life in female patients with fibromyalgia.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2022
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  14. Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial.Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2022
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23 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Molly E McLarenCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Electronic address: memclaren@phhp.ufl.edu.
Nicole R NissimCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, PO Box 100244, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Electronic address: nnissim18@ufl.edu.
Adam J WoodsCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, PO Box 100244, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Electronic address: ajwoods@phhp.ufl.edu.
University of Florida Health · US

Funding

Using social networks to map and evaluate team science across CTSA hubsUL1TR001427 · NCATS · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · PI MITCHELL, DUANE A. · 2015 to 2024
$37.2M
Augmenting Cognitive Training in Older Adults - The ACT GrantR01AG054077 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · PI COHEN, RONALD A, MARSISKE, MICHAEL · 2016 to 2020
$6.9M
Together: Transforming and Translating Discovery to Improve HealthTL1TR001428 · NCATS · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · PI MCCORMACK, WAYNE T. · 2015 to 2023
$3.9M
Research Training in Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Cognition in Aging, MCI, and Alzheimer's DiseaseT32AG020499 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · PI MARSISKE, MICHAEL, SMITH, GLENN E. · 2003 to 2024
$3.7M
Neuromodulation of Cognition in Older AdultsK01AG050707 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · PI WOODS, ADAM J. · 2016 to 2020
$613k
NCATS NIH HHS TL1 TR001428NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR001427NIA NIH HHS K01 AG050707NIA NIH HHS R01 AG054077NIA NIH HHS T32 AG020499
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere has been increased interest in the potential use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as treatment for multiple conditions including depression, pain, and cognitive impairment. However, few studies account for the possible influence of comorbid medications when conducting tDCS research. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: This literature review was conducted to examine what is currently known about the impact of medications on tDCS, provide recommendations for future research practices, and highlight areas where more research is needed.

methodsKey terms were searched in PubMed and Web of Science to identify studies that examine the impact of medication on tDCS effects in adults. Relevant papers' reference lists were also reviewed for thoroughness. Studies examined the effects of medication on 1 mA tDCS delivered to M1 (motor) and orbit/supraorbital (SO) area. All studies measured the effects of tDCS via MEP TMS paradigm.

resultsResults of the literature review suggest multiple classes of medications, including sodium and calcium channel blockers, and medications that influence various neurotransmitter systems (GABA, dopamine, serotonin, etc.) may all impact tDCS effects on tissue excitability.

conclusionsResearch to date suggests multiple classes of medications may impact tDCS effects. These results highlight the importance of documenting medication use in research subjects and carefully considering what types of medications should be allowed into tDCS trials. Many questions still remain regarding the exact mechanisms of action for tDCS and how various parameters (medication dosages, tDCS stimulation intensity, etc.) may further impact the effects of medications on tDCS.

Indexed as

Transcranial Direct Current StimulationHumansPrescription DrugsPrescription DrugsComorbid medication interactionsOutcomesStudy designtDCSTranscranial direct current stimulation

Identifiers

PMID29066167
PMCPMC5729094
OpenAlexW2761946008

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.