Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as an add-on to standardised behavioural therapy for tobacco dependence – a placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Einleitung: The changes in attention and cognitive performance that result from direct current stimulation of different brain regions have been known since the 1960 s and investigated in many studies since then. Our group was able to show improved performance in an n-back procedure (memory test to assess working memory) after tDCS. (Keeser et al; 2010) Proof of this effect in healthy controls leads to the assumption that tDCS increases activity in neuronal networks in tobacco-dependent patients and thus increases attention and concentration abilities, which will in turn increase the probability that smoking cess…