Transcranial Current Stimulation (TCS)

Transcranial current stimulation encompasses a set of non-invasive brain stimulation methods that use weak currents delivered via electrodes on the scalp to stimulate specific brain areas. The applied current can either be unidirectional direct current (transcranial direct current stimulation; tDCS), sinusoidal alternating current (transcranial alternating current stimulation; tACS) or random noise (transcranial random noise stimulation; tRNS). Transcranial current stimulation can have different modulatory effects on the brain that are dependent on the stimulation paradigm and parameters used. This technique has utility both as a tool in basic science  research to provide insight into how the brain functions and as a therapeutic intervention in clinical studies.