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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Global Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Jenny Chan, Yeryeong Cho, Jae-Hon Lee. Chonnam Medical Journal, 2025-01-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by noticeable deficits in memory retrieval or other cognitive domains than the individuals with the same age but do not significantly interfere with daily functioning. It represents an intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia, and a crucial opportunity for intervention prior to extensive cognitive decline. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, has shown promise in enhancing global cognition in MCI. Current evidence suggests that tDCS provides short-term cognitive benefits, particularly in memory and attention, with moderate effects observed in processing speed. However, its impact on executive function and language remains inconsistent, highlighting variability in individual responses and study methodologies. While long-term efficacy remains uncertain due to limited longitudinal research and short follow-up periods, safety concerns, especially with self-administered tDCS such as in home-based tDCS, underscore the need for proper training and device innovation. Despite this, tDCS is a promising, portable tool for cognitive enhancement in MCI, with potential to delay progression to dementia. Addressing challenges such as optimizing stimulation protocols, accounting for individual neuroanatomical variability, and establishing long-term effectiveness will be essential for its broader clinical adoption. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies, incorporating biomarkers to predict treatment response, and conducting large-scale, longitudinal studies to refine its therapeutic application.
Key findings
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by noticeable deficits in memory retrieval or other cognitive domains than the individuals with the same age but do not significantly interfere with daily functioning.
- Current evidence suggests that tDCS provides short-term cognitive benefits, particularly in memory and attention, with moderate effects observed in processing speed.
Why it matters
Current evidence suggests transcranial direct current stimulation provides short-term cognitive benefits in mild cognitive impairment, particularly in memory and attention, with inconsistent effects on executive function and language. Long-term efficacy remains uncertain due to limited longitudinal research and short follow-up periods.
Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 43/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Chonnam Medical Journal) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Chonnam Medical Journal: journal h-index 42 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 5 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 5 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Jae-Hon Lee: h-index 12 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Western University: institution h-index 899 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 39958266) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 43 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.4068/cmj.2025.61.1.1
- PubMed: 39958266
- Original source →
- Free full text: Chonnam Medical Journal →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Chan, J., Cho, Y., & Lee, J.-H. (2025). Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Global Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Chonnam Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2025.61.1.1
Vancouver
Chan J, Cho Y, Lee J.-H. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Global Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Chonnam Medical Journal. 2025. doi:10.4068/cmj.2025.61.1.1. PMID: 39958266.
BibTeX
@article{chan2025-39958266,
author = {Chan, Jenny and Cho, Yeryeong and Lee, Jae-Hon},
title = {{Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Global Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment}},
journal = {Chonnam Medical Journal},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.4068/cmj.2025.61.1.1},
pmid = {39958266},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2025.61.1.1}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.