Transcranial direct current stimulation induces distinct changes of A-fibre mediated temperature and mechanical perception in healthy humans

Objective: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) induces long lasting excitability changes of the cerebral cortex. For the somatosensory cortex, it has already been shown that tDCS modulates evoked potentials and tactile perception. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of tDCS on thermal and mechanical perception by quantitative sensory testing (QST). Methods: Eight healthy subjects (3 female, 5 male, age 25–43 years), who had normal median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials, normal median nerve conduction velocity, normal laboratory blood testing and no relevant history or concomitant neuro…