tDCS for Catatonic Depression in Down Syndrome: A Pilot Study

This study evaluates the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for depression with catatonia in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). 62 patients will be randomized to receive 15 sessions of active or sham tDCS. The primary objective is to measure changes in depressive/catatonic symptoms using the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS). Secondary objectives include safety, cognitive effects, EEG correlates, and biological markers (cortisol, BDNF, cytokines). The study aims to provide a non-pharmacological therapeutic alternative for this population