Mood and cognitive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in post-stroke depression

Depression following stroke (PSD) affects up to 33% of patients and is associated with increased mortality. Antidepressant drugs have several side effects; therefore novel treatments are needed. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has induced mood and cognitive gain in several neuropsychiatric conditions but has not been tested for PSD to date. Here, we report a patient with significant mood and cognitive impairment who showed marked amelioration of these symptoms following anodal stimulation (2 mA per 30 minutes per 10 days) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We discuss the possible mechanisms of tDCS in improving PSD. This initial preliminary data is useful to encourage further controlled trials on the field.

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