How the Number and Distance of Electrodes Change the Induced Electric Field in the Cortex during Multichannel tDCS

Videira, Andreia S.; Canadas, Diogo; De O. Pires, Leonor; Andrade, Alexandre; Ferreira, Hugo A.; Miranda, Pedro C.; Fernandes, Sofia R.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/99317

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Abstract(s)

Multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising approach to target neuromodulation of neural networks by making use of variable number of electrodes and distances to facilitate/inhibit specific connectivity patterns. Optimization of the electric field (EF) spatial distribution through computational models can provide a more accurate definition of the stimulation settings that are more effective. In this study, we investigate the effect of increasing the number of cathodes around a central anode placed over the target. We demonstrate that anode-cathode distance has the largest influence in the EF and using more than 3 cathodes did not result in considerable changes in the EF magnitude and direction. This could be relevant for simultaneous tDCS-electroencephalography (EEG) applications, by saving electrode positions for EEG acquisition. Clinical Relevance- This study demonstrates that distance between electrodes is more relevant than electrode number in determining the electric field distribution, and that a highly-focused stimulation can be equally effective with fewer electrodes.