What Is tDCS and How Does It Work?
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neurostimulation that uses a
mild, constant electrical current - typically 1–2 milliamps - delivered through electrodes placed on the
scalp. This current modulates the resting membrane potential of neurons in targeted brain regions,
making them either more or less likely to fire.
The clinical effect is not immediate stimulation in the way of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Rather,
tDCS works by shifting the excitability of specific neural circuits over a series of sessions, producing
gradual but sustained changes in mood, cognition, and behaviour. It is painless, does not require
anaesthesia, and can be administered in a clinical setting without hospital admission.
tDCS is now listed in multiple international treatment guidelines, including those of the International
Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (2017) and the Brazilian Committee for tDCS (2021). Research
published in journals including Neuropsychopharmacology, Brain Stimulation, and the European Journal of
Neuroscience supports its use in depression, OCD, and cognitive rehabilitation.
Conditions Treated With tDCS at Mansa Clinic
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Approximately 30% of people with major depressive disorder do not respond adequately to first- or
second-line antidepressants. For this group, tDCS offers a non-pharmacological option with a meaningful
evidence base. tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has shown statistically
significant antidepressant effects in multiple randomised controlled trials. At Mansa Clinic, tDCS for
depression is always used as part of a broader psychiatric management plan - not as a standalone
intervention.
OCD
Evidence supports the use of tDCS as an adjunct to ERP therapy for OCD - specifically by modulating
activity in the supplementary motor area and orbitofrontal cortex, regions implicated in the compulsive
response cycle. For patients who have completed ERP and achieved partial but incomplete symptom
reduction, tDCS offers a well-tolerated way to consolidate progress.
Cognitive Rehabilitation in Older Adults
tDCS targeting prefrontal regions has demonstrated improvement in working memory, attention, and
executive function in studies involving older adults with mild cognitive impairment. At Mansa Clinic,
tDCS for cognitive rehabilitation is offered as part of our geriatric psychiatry and dementia care
protocols, alongside neuropsychological assessment and pharmacological management.
ADHD (Adolescents and Adults)
Emerging evidence supports tDCS as a complement to medication management in ADHD, particularly for
improving working memory and inhibitory control. This is offered at Mansa Clinic for suitable patients
following a full psychiatric assessment.
tDCS vs TMS vs ECT — Understanding Your Options
tDCS uses low, constant current to modulate neural excitability. It is painless, does not require
sedation, and is administered in a clinic setting. Evidence is strongest for depression and OCD.
TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) uses magnetic pulses to induce electrical currents in targeted
brain regions. More powerful than tDCS, with a stronger evidence base for treatment-resistant
depression, but requires specialised equipment and is typically more expensive.
ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) involves inducing a brief, controlled seizure under general anaesthesia.
It is the most effective treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression and certain psychotic
conditions - but requires hospital admission and carries higher short-term cognitive side effects.
What Does a tDCS Session Look Like?
A standard tDCS session at Mansa Clinic takes 20–30 minutes. You sit comfortably in a chair. Two
moistened sponge electrodes are placed on specific areas of your scalp using a headband - the placement
is determined by your diagnosis and the brain region being targeted. A mild current is then applied for
20 minutes. Most people feel only a faint tingling or warmth at the electrode sites.
A standard treatment course is typically 10–20 sessions, administered daily or on alternating days. Dr.
Baste reviews your response at intervals and adjusts the plan if needed. Sessions can be combined with a
therapy appointment on the same day.
Is tDCS Safe?
tDCS has been studied in thousands of participants in clinical trials across the world and is considered
safe when administered by trained clinicians at approved parameters. Side effects are typically mild and
transient - tingling, mild headache, or slight redness at the electrode site. There are no known
long-term adverse effects at the parameters used clinically
explicit, informed consent.
Contraindications include a history of epilepsy, metal implants in the head, or skin conditions at the
electrode sites. Dr. Baste conducts a full medical and psychiatric assessment before recommending tDCS
to ensure it is appropriate for you.
Why Choose Mansa Clinic for tDCS in Pune?
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One of very few tDCS providers in Aundh and western Pune - most clinics in Pune offering tDCS are
in the city centre
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Psychiatrist-supervised - tDCS is recommended, monitored, and adjusted by an MD psychiatrist, not
administered independently
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No anaesthesia, no hospital admission - in-clinic procedure with immediate return to normal
activities
