Waveforms

Noninvasive brain stimulation uses gentle electrical currents applied to the scalp to reversibly modulate brain function. The little ‘t’ stands for transcranial, and the shape of the waveform determine how neural activity is modified. Learn the lingo below.

tDCS

tPCS

tACS

tIFS

tDCS stands for transcranial direct current stimulation. Positive currents enter the head and negative currents leave the head.

tPCS stands for pulsed current stimulation. Currents in tPCS are brief but repeat over and over.

tACS stands for transcranial alternating current stimulation, where currents oscillate over time.

tIFS stands for transcranial interferential stimulation and is derived by combining two AC waves.

Electrodes

Definitions

Anodes enhance
Cathodes calm
sinusoids coordinate

Positive currents enhance brain activity. These currents are weak and don’t directly modulate the brain. Rather, they promote enhanced activity by increasing the probability of neural firing.

Negative currents counter and complement the positive currents. The negative electrode is called the cathode, which serves to calm or quiet brain activity.

Sinusoidal currents have a push (positive) and pull (negative). These currents help coordinate brain activity, so they act like a metronome to keep a rhythm or beat.