What is tDCS? Understanding a Promising Brain Stimulation Technique
- Angel David Blanco
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that uses a low electrical current—typically 1 to 2 milliamperes—applied via electrodes on the scalp to modulate neuronal excitability. Unlike techniques that elicit immediate neuronal firing (such as TMS), tDCS subtly alters the likelihood of neuronal activation, enhancing or suppressing brain activity depending on the polarity and montage used.
tDCS has gained attention in recent years as a potential tool for enhancing cognitive functions and treating neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression, chronic pain, stroke, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The stimulation is painless, generally well-tolerated, and offers the possibility for portable, even at-home use—opening doors to innovative healthcare applications.
Meet StarStim: Precision tDCS Meets Wearable EEG
One of the most advanced tools available for tDCS is StarStim, developed by our sister company Neuroelectrics. StarStim is a wireless neurostimulator that combines tDCS (and other stimulation protocols like tACS and tRNS) with simultaneous EEG recording. This unique combination enables real-time monitoring and closed-loop applications where stimulation can be adapted based on ongoing brain activity.
Thanks to its multichannel capabilities, StarStim allows for individualized montages tailored to target specific cortical regions, maximizing the therapeutic potential while minimizing side effects.
Clinical Trial in ADHD: Multicenter Evidence of tDCS Potential
We are proud to highlight Neuroelectrics and Starlab's contribution to a recently published multicenter clinical trial in JAMA Network Open:
In this double-blind, sham-controlled study conducted across five university hospitals in Germany and Portugal, 69 youths aged 10 to 18 with ADHD received either active or sham tDCS targeting two different brain regions: the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) or the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG), using a multichannel montage designed with Neuroelectrics’ StarStim technology.
Key Findings:
Stimulation of the rIFG significantly improved interference control, as measured by the Flanker Task.
Stimulation of the lDLPFC, however, unexpectedly decreased working memory accuracy, highlighting the importance of selecting optimal target regions and stimulation protocols based on neurocognitive function.
Importantly, tDCS was well tolerated, with only mild, transient adverse events reported across groups.
This study underscores both the promise and the complexity of applying brain stimulation in developmental populations.
Our Commitment to Brain Health Innovation
At Starlab, we are committed to advancing brain health through cutting-edge neurotechnology and scientific collaboration. Our participation in this trial reflects our expertise in EEG, brain stimulation, and translational neurotechnology, and our mission to develop safe and effective tools for mental health and cognitive enhancement.
As the field of neuromodulation grows, we believe in combining engineering precision with clinical insight—and technologies like StarStim exemplify that vision.
Want to Learn More or Collaborate?
If you're interested in learning more about transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), our work in neurotechnology, or exploring collaboration opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or industry partner, feel free to reach out to us to discuss how our expertise in EEG, neurostimulation, and AI-based brain analytics can support your initiatives.
📩 Contact us at: info@starlab.es
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Together, let’s shape the future of brain health.
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