Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Improving Mental Health and Cognition in MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) often leads to motor, cognitive, and psychological impairment, yet treatment options for cognitive and psychological symptoms remain limited. Researchers tested whether non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation) targeting the areas of the brain responsible for these processes could improve these symptoms. 40 people with MS completed 10 sessions of either real or placebo brain stimulation, with cognitive performance, sleep quality, quality of life, and psychological distress measured before and after the intervention period.

Real non-invasive brain stimulation improved quality of life, stress, sleep, and cognitive performance (attention and processing speed) compared to placebo. Improvements in mental health and cognition were linked, meaning gains in one area predicted gains in the other. Findings suggest this technique could become a safe tool to support cognitive and emotional well-being in MS, but further investigation with larger samples is required.

 Illustration of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a technique that uses a gentle electrical current between two scalp electrodes to modulate activity in specific areas of the brain.

Reference: Zakibakhsh, N., Basharpoor, S., Ghalyanchi Langroodi, H., Narimani, M., Nitsche, M. A., & Salehinejad, M. A. (2024). Repeated prefrontal tDCS for improving mental health and cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Journal of translational medicine, 22(1), 843.

Image Reference: Neuromodec