Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulates Neurogenesis and Microglia Activation in the Mouse Brain

Figure 4

Multisession tDCS induces neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ). (a), (a′) Neuroblasts in the SVZ were identified by their expression of DCX under control conditions (sham). The scale bar represents 100 µm and applies to panels (a)–(c′). (b), (b′) Multisession cathodal tDCS with 99 kC/m² increased DCX-immunoreactivity in the SVZ. (c), (c′) Following multisession anodal tDCS with 99 kC/m², the area of DCX-positive neuroblasts in the SVZ ipsilateral to tDCS was wider than under control conditions (sham). (d) Quantification confirmed that multisession cathodal tDCS with 99 kC/m² increased the size of the DCX-immunoreactive area in the ipsilateral and contralateral SVZ, while multisession anodal tDCS with 99 kC/m² increased the size of this area ipsilateral to stimulation only . (e) In animals stimulated with 198 kC/m² that did not display any lesion, neuroblasts were increased in the ipsi- and contralateral SVZ after cathodal tDCS. Anodal tDCS with 198 kC/m² did not cause a lesion in only mouse, thus not resulting in a significant change in neuroblasts ().