Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Panic Disorder: A Case Study

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is characterized primarily by the presence of recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, followed by at least one month of persistent concern about other attacks, the possible consequences of attacks and a significant behavioral change related to the attacks. The neurocircuitry of fear includes two pathways for processing of sensory information. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) use has not been reported for PD. Objective: To report the results of an experimental tDCS protocol for ameliorating anxiety symptoms in a patient with panic disorder. Method: The current report is based on a single case study. We used an experimental tDCS intervention protocol as to inhibit the right dorsolateralprefrontal cortex during a period of two weeks. Symptoms were assessed by adequate clinical scales. Results: We hereby describe a 44-year-old woman with PD who successfully underwent a tDCS intervention, with important ameliorating of her symptoms. Discussion and Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this it is the first report using tDCS for PD. Some study limitations, however, should be addressed. Our findings are based on a case study, thus having limited generalizability. Nonetheless, these encouraging results should be seen as hypothesis-driving for further controlled, randomized trials exploring the impact of tDCS in the treatment of PD and maybe other anxiety disorders.