Characterization of responders to transcranial direct current stimulation in disorders of consciousness: A retrospective study of 8 clinical trials

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2025.e00587
• Publication Date: 2025-04-18T11:12:11Z
• Authors: Alice Barra; Rodrigo Huerta-Gu...; Jitka Annen; Geraldine Martens; Steven Laureys; Roberto Llorens; Tobias Kurth; Aurore Thibaut
• Keywords: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Persistent vegetative state

The treatment for patients with disorders of consciousness challenges researchers and clinicians. stimulation the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex transcranial direct current (tDCS) may enhance behavioral responsiveness a subset in minimally conscious state, while having limited effects unresponsive patients. However, heterogeneity responses raises questions about effectiveness tDCS. Our objective was to explore characteristics responders tDCS based on previously published RCTs investigate effect better future studies towards patient profiles that appear be more responsive treatment. We explored clinical demographical differences between (i.e., recovery new sign after active stimulation) non-responder predictors response LASSO logistic regression. included 131 (44 women, 61 traumatic brain injury, 90 conscious, mean age 46.13 years [SD ​= ​16], median time since injury 12.84 months [IQR: 5.25-35.10]) which 33 responded While 32 ​% (95%CI 0.24, 0.43), 10 0.04, 0.25) those responded. regression model, using diagnosis at baseline, Coma Recovery Scale-Revised Index age, sex correctly discriminated non-responders (area under curve 0.77). findings suggest cognitive profile longer TSI respond tDCS, making them candidates