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. 2021 Mar 1;37(1):58-63.
doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000722.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Prader-Willi Syndrome

Caroline C Azevedo  1 , Alisson Paulino Trevizol, July S Gomes  1 , Henrique Akiba  1 , Ruth R Franco  2 , Paula B Simurro  1 , Renata M Ianni  1 , Ruth B Grigolon  1 , Daniel M Blumberger, Alvaro M Dias
Affiliations

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Prader-Willi Syndrome

Caroline C Azevedo et al. J ECT. .

Abstract

Background: Given the limited therapeutic options for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), we conducted an open-label clinical trial to evaluate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for hyperphagia, food craving, and aberrant behaviors on this population.

Methods: Twelve subjects with PWS (11-35 years old) were included. The subjects underwent 10 daily 20-minute sessions of tDCS in 2 weeks. The anode was positioned over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the cathode over the contralateral region.

Results: We observed amelioration of hyperphagic and food craving symptoms (P < 0.05), as well as amelioration of behavioral symptoms measured with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (P < 0.05).

Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first proof-of-concept trial to report the positive effects of increasing excitability of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, using tDCS, for the behavioral, hyperphagia, and food craving symptoms in PWS, which is a low-cost, well-studied, safe alternative for brain stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

C.C.A., A.P.T., J.S.G., H.A., R.R.F., P.B.S., R.M.I., R.B.G., and A.M.D. have no conflicts of interest or financial disclosures to report.

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