a-protocol-for-use-remotely-supervised-transcranial-direct-current

A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that uses low amplitude direct currents to alter cortical ...

remotely-supervised-transcranial-direct-current-stimulation-an-update

Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability

The remotely supervised tDCS (RS-tDCS) protocol enables participation from home through guided and monitored self-administration of tDCS treatment while ...

NYU Langone Medical Center

Stony Brook Medicine

Coelomocytes, the immunodefense cells of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, are exposed to changing osmotic pressures as the worm's coelomic fluid responds to fluctuating wet-dry conditions of the surrounding soil. Using light and fluorescence microscopy combined with actin and tubulin disrupting drugs, we determined the effects of changing osmotic pressure on coelomocyte morphology. The coelomocytes from L. terrestris respond to an increase in environmental osmotic pressure from isotonic conditions (170 mOsm) to hypertonic conditions (715 mOsm) by changing from a round/petalloid morphology to a filopodial morphology. Cytoskeletal fluorescent staining studies indicate that for filopodia to form, the actin cortical ring, present in most coelomocytes in isotonic conditions, must be disrupted. Breakdown of the actin ring by exposure to a hypertonic environment or actin disrupting drugs allows the formation of actin or tubulin-based filopodia. The filopodia, or podial-like extensions formed by earthworm coelomocytes, may enable the cells to better explore their environment.

Formation of filopodia in earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) coelomocytes in response to osmotic stress.

The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is cumulative. Treatment protocols typically require multiple consecutive sessions spanning weeks or months. However, traveling to clinic for a tDCS session can present an obstacle to subjects and their caregivers. With modified devices and headgear, tDCS treatment can be administered remotely under clinical supervision, potentially enhancing recruitment, throughput, and convenience. Here we propose standards and protocols for clinical trials utilizing remotely-supervised tDCS with the goal of providing safe, reproducible and well-tolerated stimulation therapy outside of the clinic. The recommendations include: (1) training of staff in tDCS treatment and supervision; (2) assessment of the user's capability to participate in tDCS remotely; (3) ongoing training procedures and materials including assessments of the user and/or caregiver; (4) simple and fail-safe electrode preparation techniques and tDCS headgear; (5) strict dose control for each session; (6) ongoing monitoring to quantify compliance (device preparation, electrode saturation/placement, stimulation protocol), with corresponding corrective steps as required; (7) monitoring for treatment-emergent adverse effects; (8) guidelines for discontinuation of a session and/or study participation including emergency failsafe procedures tailored to the treatment population's level of need. These guidelines are intended to provide a minimal level of methodological rigor for clinical trials seeking to apply tDCS outside a specialized treatment center. We outline indication-specific applications (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Palliative Care) following these recommendations that support a standardized framework for evaluating the tolerability and reproducibility of remote-supervised tDCS that, once established, will allow for translation of tDCS clinical trials to a greater size and range of patient populations.

Remotely-supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for clinical trials: guidelines for technology and protocols.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has potential clinical application for symptomatic management in multiple sclerosis (MS). Repeated sessions are necessary in order to adequately evaluate a therapeutic effect. However, it is not feasible for many individuals with MS to visit clinic for treatment on a daily basis, and clinic delivery is also associated with substantial cost. We developed a research protocol to remotely supervise self- or proxy-administration for home delivery of tDCS using specially designed equipment and a telemedicine platform.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Is Feasible for Remotely Supervised Home Delivery in Multiple Sclerosis.

To explore the efficacy of remotely-supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (RS-tDCS) paired with cognitive training (CT) exercise in participants with multiple sclerosis (MS).

ArticleTotal : 2	Year
Publication title Cited by 51	2015
Publication title Cited by 52	2017

Article	Year
Formation of filopodia in earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) coelomocytes in response to osmotic stress. Zoology (Jena, Germany)\| PubMed ID: 17174079	2007
Remotely-supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for clinical trials: guidelines for technology and protocols. Frontiers in systems neuroscience\| PubMed ID: 25852494	2015
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Is Feasible for Remotely Supervised Home Delivery in Multiple Sclerosis. Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society\| PubMed ID: 27089545	2016
Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Increases the Benefit of At-Home Cognitive Training in Multiple Sclerosis. Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society\| PubMed ID: 28225155	2017

Margaret Kasschau

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