College of Arts & Sciences

Angela Myronovych

Close School of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Evangelia G. Chrysikou Psychology

Measuring the Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Brain Plasticity with Concurrent Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Major Depressive Disorder

Depression is the most common mood disorder and the second greatest cause of disability worldwide. Despite years of pharmacological and psychological research, over 30% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) fail to respond to such interventions alone. Studies show that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a new noninvasive and painless neuromodulation method involving the application of weak direct currents (1-2 mA) through electrodes on the scalp, can be a very effective treatment for depression. Despite its safety, low cost, and convenience, tDCS treatment has not progressed from proof-of-concept to clinical practice because of a lack of understanding of tDCS’ precise effects. The goal of this research study is to identify with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) the specific effects of tDCS on brain activity while patients with major depressive disorder and healthy control subjects perform emotion regulation tasks. Our preliminary analysis of the fMRI data suggests different profiles of responsiveness in prefrontal cortex for the patient group under active, but not placebo stimulation. This study contributes to our understanding of tDCS as a possible treatment for major depressive disorder.