Cognitive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in depression: Results from the SELECT-TDCS trial and insights for further clinical trials

•Previous research suggested that tDCS presents pro-cognitive effects.•This was evaluated in 120 patients with MDD treated with tDCS and/or sertraline.•Trail Making, Digit Span, Stroop Task, MMSE and MOCA were assessed at baseline and endpoint.•Cognitive performance occurred over time, regardless of treatment group and clinical response.•More sensitive instruments to detect cognitive changes should be used in further MDD trials.

BackgroundCognitive dysfunction treatment remains an unmet clinical need in major depressive disorder (MDD). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve cognitive symptoms in MDD. Our aim was to investigate the cognitive effects of tDCS in the Sertraline vs. Electric Current Therapy for Treating Depression Clinical Study (SELECT-TDCS). We also explored whether tDCS could have mood-independent cognitive effects.MethodsOne hundred twenty MDD patients aged from 18 to 65 years received 12 sessions of active/sham tDCS (2 mA for 30 min) and real/placebo 50 mg/d sertraline over 6 weeks in a factorial trial. We analyzed whether changes in performance of neuropsychological tests (Trail Making, Digit Span, Stroop Task, Mini-Mental Status Exam and Montreal Cognitive Assessment) occurred over time, according to treatment group and depression improvement. Exploratory analyses were carried out to verify the influence of clinical and demographic variables on the outcomes.ResultsCognitive improvement was showed in most tests used, although they occurred regardless of intervention type and depression improvement. Further exploratory analyses revealed that clinical response and education level could have mediated pro-cognitive tDCS effects on some of the tests used.LimitationsThe neuropsychological battery used might not have been sensitive to detect tDCS-induced effects on cognition. Lack of simultaneous cognitive training during application may have also limited its cognitive effects.ConclusionsWe found no evidence of beneficial or deleterious cognitive effects of tDCS as a treatment for depression. We discussed clinical trial design considerations for further tDCS studies assessing cognitive effects, including sample and outcomes considerations.