Frontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Induces Dopamine Release in the Ventral Striatum in Human

Cereb Cortex. 2018 Jul 1;28(7):2636-2646. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhy093.

Abstract

A single transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) session applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) can be associated with procognitive effects. Furthermore, repeated DLPFC tDCS sessions are under investigation as a new therapeutic tool for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. A possible mechanism explaining such beneficial effects is a modulation of meso-cortico-limbic dopamine transmission. We explored the spatial and temporal neurobiological effects of bifrontal tDCS on subcortical dopamine transmission during and immediately after the stimulation. In a double blind sham-controlled study, 32 healthy subjects randomly received a single session of either active (20 min, 2 mA; n = 14) or sham (n = 18) tDCS during a dynamic positron emission tomography scan using [11C]raclopride binding. During the stimulation period, no significant effect of tDCS was observed. After the stimulation period, compared with sham tDCS, active tDCS induced a significant decrease in [11C]raclopride binding potential ratio in the striatum, suggesting an increase in extracellular dopamine in a part of the striatum involved in the reward-motivation network. The present study provides the first evidence that bifrontal tDCS induces neurotransmitter release in polysynaptic connected subcortical areas. Therefore, levels of dopamine activity and reactivity should be a new element to consider for a general hypothesis of brain modulation by bifrontal tDCS.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Antagonists / pharmacokinetics
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prefrontal Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Prefrontal Cortex / drug effects
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Raclopride / pharmacokinetics
  • Time Factors
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / methods*
  • Ventral Striatum / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventral Striatum / metabolism*
  • Ventral Striatum / physiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Raclopride
  • Dopamine