Transcranial direct current stimulation for major depression: a review

Abstract

Major depression is a common mental disorder predominantly affecting working population and being one of the main causes of the “global burden of disease”. The lack of effectiveness of
existing pharmacoE and psychotherapeutic approaches determines the high relevance of developing and implementing new effective and safe methods of treatment using nonEinvasive brain
stimulation techniques. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is one of the promising methods of nonEinvasive neuromodulation that might be used for major depression. The review
discusses modern hypotheses on the pathogenesis of depression and the rationale for the tDCS application. The main publications, reviews and metaEanalyzes covering the use of tDCS both
as a monotherapy and in possible combinations with pharmacoE, psychotherapy and other methods are also described in detail. Finally, methodological features of tDCS studies and safety
aspects of tDCS application are highlighted.