Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Pediatric ADHD

The possibility of influencing brain activity and steadily enhancing behavioral performance through external intervention has long fascinated neuroscientists. One of these techniques, transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), has received great interest. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) in the current research includes two types of stimulation: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS). The tES techniques involve the application of constant weak direct current (e.g. 1-2 mA) to the brain via skin-electrode interface, creating electric field that modulates neuronal activity. The safety profile of tES is excellent. Despite effective pharmacotherapy for ADHD there is a need for improvement of cognitive dysfunction and behavioral symptoms that are only inadequately covered by pharmacological or psycho-social interventions. Since ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood with significant negative lifetime outcomes, non-invasive brain stimulation methods have been investigated in childhood and adolescents neuropsychiatric disorders showing promising results. If tES is significantly effective for certain symptoms of ADHD, it may offer many advantages as a therapy. Treatment of ADHD with non-invasive brain stimulation has recently been reviewed in the medical literature, concluding that this technique seems to have efficacy in ADHD, however, standardized study protocols are needed to determine it. In this study we intend to further examine the efficacy of tDCS and tRNS for children with ADHD and its effect on ADHD symptoms, memory, executive functions, in a randomized controlled crossover study.