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ABSTRACT: Background
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neural control technology that has become a research hotspot. To facilitate further research of tDCS, the biosafety of 500 ?A cathodal tDCS, a controversial parameter in rats was evaluated.Results
24 animals were randomly divided into two groups: a cathodal tDCS group (tDCS, n?=?12) and control group (control, n?=?12). Animals in the tDCS group received 5 consecutive days of cathodal tDCS (500 ?A, 15 min, once per day) followed by a tDCS-free interval of 2 days and 5 additional days of stimulation, totally two treatments of tDCS for a total of 10 days. Computational 3D rat model was adopted to calculate the current density distributions in brain during tDCS treatment. Essential brain functions including motor function and learning and memory ability were evaluated. Additionally, to estimate the neurotoxicity of tDCS, the brain morphology, neurotransmitter levels and cerebral temperature were investigated. Our results showed that the current density inside the brain was less than 20 A/m2 during tDCS treatment in computational model. tDCS did not affect motor functions and learning and memory ability after tDCS treatment. In addition, no significant differences were found for the tDCS group in hematology, serum biochemical markers or the morphology of major organs. Moreover, tDCS treatment had no effect on the brain morphology, neural structures, neurotransmitter levels or cerebral temperature.Conclusion
500 ?A cathodal tDCS as performed in the present study was safe for rodents.
SUBMITTER: Zhang K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6683582 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Zhang Keying K Guo Ling L Zhang Junping J An Guangzhou G Zhou Yan Y Lin Jiajin J Xing Junling J Lu Mai M Ding Guirong G
BMC neuroscience 20190806 1
<h4>Background</h4>Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neural control technology that has become a research hotspot. To facilitate further research of tDCS, the biosafety of 500 μA cathodal tDCS, a controversial parameter in rats was evaluated.<h4>Results</h4>24 animals were randomly divided into two groups: a cathodal tDCS group (tDCS, n = 12) and control group (control, n = 12). Animals in the tDCS group received 5 consecutive days of cathodal tDCS (500 μA, 15 min, ...[more]