tDCS for Ataxia

[billiecorton]

Has anyone with Ataxia tried tDCS?

It is supposed to be good for cerebellar problems.

[Jacqui-A]

tDCA? I am in the U.K. and have googled but all my search brings up is decking could you please say what it is.

[Libra7 in reply to Jacqui-A]

You are looking up the wrong sequence of letters! It is tDCS and not tTDA! There seems to be quite a lot of research into tTDS and it’s impact on the cerebellum (in the States) but I wonder if anything will materialise to help Ataxia suffers in our lifetime!

[Jacqui-A in reply to Libra7]

Many thanks for clarifying that Happy New Year-Jacqui

[sunvox]

I find adding links to things you want to discuss is always helpful:

tDCS - transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

hopkinsmedicine.org/psychia...

"Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is a non-invasive, painless brain stimulation treatment that uses direct electrical currents to stimulate specific parts of the brain. A constant, low intensity current is passed through two electrodes placed over the head which modulates neuronal activity. There are two types of stimulation with tDCS: anodal and cathodal stimulation. Anodal stimulation acts to excite neuronal activity while cathodal stimulation inhibits or reduces neuronal activity.

Although tDCS is still an experimental form of brain stimulation, it potentially has several advantages over other brain stimulation techniques. It is cheap, non-invasive, painless and safe. It is also easy to administer and the equipment is easily portable. The most common side effect of tDCS is a slight itching or tingling on the scalp.

Several studies suggest it may be a valuable tool for the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain. Research has also demonstrated cognitive improvement in some patients undergoing tDCS. Currently, tDCS is not an FDA-approved treatment."

Non-invasive brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: Current concepts and outlook 2015

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/264...

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on gait in people with Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomized, controlled clinical trial

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/304...

Looks really interesting, but maybe very similar to this:

healthunlocked.com/ataxia-u...

[billiecorton in reply to sunvox]

Thanks Sunvox. May be something there.

[billiecorton in reply to sunvox]

Thanks for the links, Sunvox. I am still a bit nervous, there have been so many scare stories around electric shock treatment, but I sometimes feel I would do anything to get my old self back.

[benning]

Really don't want to mess with the brain,LOL???

[sonofapeter]

n.neurology.org/content/91/...

[sonofapeter]

Better article, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[billiecorton in reply to sonofapeter]

Thanks Sonofapter. I cannot understand why this treatment is not more common given how easy and cheap it is.