Article

In the present study we tested the cognitive effects of transcranial direct
current stimulation (tDCS) in a case of probable Alzheimer disease (AD). The
patient (male, 60 years, mild AD) underwent two cycles of treatments, separated
by 2 months. In the first cycle, active stimulation (10 sessions,
2 mA for 20
min; anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) was followed by
computerised tasks (CTs) specifically chosen to engage the most impaired
cognitive processes in the patient (tDCS+CT condition).
In the second cycle,
which was structured as the first, CTs were administered after placebo
stimulation (sham+CT condition). Effects on cognitive performance were evaluated
not only by the CTs, but also by neuropsychological tests assessing global
cognitive functioning. Statistical analyses revealed that whereas the tDCS+CT
condition had few effects on the CTs, it induced a stability of the patient's
global cognitive functioning lasting approximately 3 months, which was not
achieved when the patient underwent sham+CT condition. Therefore, the synergetic
use of tDCS and CTs appeared to slow down the cognitive decline of our patient.
This preliminary result, although in need of further confirmation, suggests the
potentiality of tDCS as an adjuvant tool for cognitive rehabilitation in AD.

Langue : ANGLAIS