The Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the Research of Cognitive Functions

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the use of one of the most utilized noninvasive brain stimulation technique, namely, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in studying cognitive functions. I focus on the behavioral effects of tDCS applied over central nodes of the frontoparietal network – the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex on associative memory, executive functions, and higher cognitive functions. The effectiveness of tDCS is discussed in the context of inconsistent findings often reported in the literature. Finally, I outline the limitations of the technique and further directions in the field of noninvasive brain stimulation.