Human
Bioelectric is excited to announce that we have been developing a hand-held,
cognitive enhancement device based on the TDCS technology. TDCS is slowly
moving out of its early research stage, and brave early adopter stage where the
psychonauts of today do a little research, build a device and become DIY TDCS
experimenters. There is a sophisticated, complicated commercial device
(somehow legally available) but we thought that it is important to make the TDCS device simpler,
easier-to-use, have the important safety features, yet supply flexible TDCS
requirements. Meet Plato (ok, this is just the PCB but the cover is cool too).
Plato
provides three levels of regulated current (Low (1.0mA), Med (1.5mA), and High
(2.0mA) through 2” x 2” sponge electrodes to minimize tingling and the slight
burning that can occur with TDCS. Plato also has an over-current protection and
a timeout that turns the current off 20min after you start a treatment.
But TDCS
devices are not regulated in the US for commercial or even clinical use. Brain
centers, researchers, and some DIY enthusiasts are using iontophoresis devices
in an “off label” circumstance. But these devices are not made for TDCS use,
the allowable levels of current and voltage are higher than a TDCS device,
hence development of a simple TDCS device is important.
To develop a
medical device, the first step is often a feasibility study. Hence we are very
excited to announce that we will be undertaking a study:
The Safety of Anodal DLPFC direct
current stimulation on the PTSD population, a feasibility study for the Plato
TDCS device.
Surprisingly
there has been little research into using TDCS for the clinical condition of
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In the research you can find TDCS benefitting
depression, chronic pain, improving concentration, and even the down regulation
of negative emotional conditions, all of these crucial symptoms in the battle
of PTSD. For these conditions, many of the studies use Anodal Dorsolateral Prefrontal
Cortex (DLPFC). Hence we will be performing a small study, about 20 people, in
the Portland ME area, receiving Anodal DLPFC over a four week period using
Plato to provide the TDCS. The study outcomes will be questioning the safety
and side effects of the TDCS treatments showing similar results to other TDCS
safety studies. But any benefit to the study participants will occur. More
details of the study to follow.
And lastly
to fund the study we will be starting an Indiegogo campaign in April. More information
about Plato and the Plato PTSD Safety study can be found at the website:
And you can
stay in touch by following our Facebook or Google+ page.
Everybody’s
help will allow us to open an important new tool in the treatment of PTSD and
inch forward the regulation of TDCS through an inexpensive easy-to-use device.
Looks like your technology is evolving into something that will more like be approved for general use. As an early adapter of the current regulating diode design I am happy you shared that simple schematic so us home gamers could get a taste of the joy. Hoping this new development has wings.
ReplyDeletethanks for the words of encouragement.
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