P1.23. CHANGES IN BRAIN BIOELECTRICAL ACTIVITY FOLLOWING TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD).
Martyna Skuła1,2, Joanna Budzisz3, Karolina Fila-Pawłowska4, Michał Ślęzak2, Tomasz Kajdanowicz1, Joanna Rymaszewska4
1 Wroclaw University of Science and Technology - Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Department of Artificial Intelligence, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wrocław, Poland
2 Łukasiewicz Research Network PORT – Polish Centre of Technology Development, Biology of Astrocytes Group, Stabłowicka 147, 54-066, Wrocław, Poland
3 Wroclaw University of Science and Technology - Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Department of Electrical Power Engineering, ul. Janiszewskiego 8, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
4 Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine - Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Hoene-Wrońskiego 13c, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
INTRODUCTION: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has attracted growing interest as a potential intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Both conditions are associated with altered cortical excitability and disrupted executive functioning, making them potential targets for non-invasive neuromodulation.
AIM(S): This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS in improving cognitive and behavioral outcomes in ADHD and ASD.
METHOD(S): A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. A total of 320 studies were identified; 40 high-quality RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in detai
RESULTS: Most studies reported positive effects of tDCS on working memory, attention, and inhibitory control in individuals with ADHD, and reduced stereotypical behaviors and improved communication in ASD. However, significant heterogeneity in stimulation protocols (e.g., current intensity, number of sessions, electrode size and placement) limited cross-study comparability. Long-term benefits were observed primarily in protocols involving repeated stimulation. Only a minority of studies incorporated EEG or fMRI data to link behavioral outcomes with physiological changes.
CONCLUSIONS: tDCS shows promise as a supportive intervention for ADHD and ASD. However, the lack of protocol standardization and interindividual variability limit the generalizability of findings. Personalized stimulation protocols based on neurophysiological markers may enhance treatment effectiveness.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: This work was funded by Industry PhD Grant - Martyna Skuła (DWD/8/0125/2024) from Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education