OBJECTIVE Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) provides a way to modulate spatial attention by enhancing the ratio of neural activity between the left and right hemispheres, with a potential benefit for the rehabilitation of visual neglect. METHODS We tested the effect of bilateral tDCS in healthy individuals performing a visual detection task. This protocol consists in the positioning of the anode and cathode on mirror positions over the left and right parietal areas. The stimulation was repeated over three days to maximize the chance to observe a bias to the hemispace controlateral to the anode. RESULTS Compared to a sham treatment, left anodal - right cathodal stimulation enhanced attention across the full range of space, since the first day with no build-up effect on the next days, and modified the balance of left-right omissions when stimuli appeared at the same time. CONCLUSION Bilateral tDCS improved detection in both visual fields, with no privileged processing of one side, except when concurrent stimuli were presented. The results provide partial support to the hemispheric rivalry hypothesis. SIGNIFICANCE The technique has the potential to boost attention in neglect patients but should be used as an adjuvant rather than as an alternative to functional rehabilitation.

中文翻译：

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经颅电刺激优化跨空间视觉注意力的平衡

目的 经颅直流电刺激 (tDCS) 提供了一种通过提高左右半球神经活动比率来调节空间注意力的方法，对视力忽视的康复具有潜在益处。方法我们测试了双侧 tDCS 在执行视觉检测任务的健康个体中的效果。该协议包括将阳极和阴极定位在左右顶叶区域的镜子位置上。在三天内重复刺激以最大限度地观察阳极的半空间控制偏差的机会。结果 与假治疗相比，左阳极-右阴极刺激增强了整个空间范围内的注意力，从第一天开始，在接下来的几天没有累积效应，并在刺激同时出现时修正左右遗漏的平衡。结论 双侧 tDCS 改善了两个视野的检测，没有一侧的特权处理，除非同时出现刺激。结果为半球竞争假说提供了部分支持。意义 该技术有可能提高被忽视患者的注意力，但应作为辅助手段而不是作为功能康复的替代方案。