Electrical Brain Stimulation for Treatment of Secondary Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis

Electrical Brain Stimulation for Improving Mental Health and Cognitive Functioning in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease associated with physical disability, psychological impairment, and cognitive dysfunction. As a result, the disease burden is high, and treatment options are limited. In this randomized, double-blind study, the investigators planned to use repeated electrical stimulation and assess mental health-related variables (e.g., quality of life, sleep, psychological distress) and cognitive dysfunction in patients with MS.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. diagnosis of MS according to the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: 2010 Revisions to the McDonald criteria (Polman et al., 2011), certified by a professional neurologist
2. being 25-55 years old
3. providing written informed consent
4. If female, a negative urine pregnancy test
5. stable medication regime especially the classical neuroleptics and all CNS-activating medications, if taken, 4-6 weeks before the experiment and during the experiment
6. right handed

Exclusion Criteria:

1. smoker
2. pregnancy
3. alcohol or substance dependence
4. history of seizure
5. history of other neurological disorders than MS
6. history of head injury
7. presence of ferromagnetic objects in the body that are contraindicated for brain stimulation of the head (pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, brain stimulators, some types of dental implants, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses, permanent eyeliner, implanted delivery pump, or shrapnel fragments) or fear of enclosed spaces.