{
  "abstract": "ObjectiveHome-based 2 mA transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is FDA-approved for depression, but amplitude has been limited largely by skin tolerance. This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and feasibility of accelerated high-capacity tDCS (HC-tDCS) at 6 mA.\n\nMethodsIn this open-label pilot study, 20 patients with major depressive disorder received 20-minute bifrontal 6 mA sessions twice daily for five days using a high-capacity stimulator and hydrogel electrodes. A Safety Review Committee reviewed data from the first three participants before the remaining 17 were enrolled.\n\nResultsRetention and adherence were 100% (203 of 203 sessions); 17 of 20 received 6 mA throughout, with amplitude reduced for intolerance in one and limited by an electrode fault in two. There were no serious adverse events. The most common symptoms were fatigue (49% of sessions), burning (46%) and tingling (43%) at the electrode, and difficulty concentrating (40%). Electrode-site erythema occurred in all participants, with no severe reactions. At 1 week, 7 of 20 reported a residual skin change, none painful; at 1 month, spots of residual pigmentation were observed at the electrode site in 2 participants, both Black. In five days, mean PHQ-9 scores decreased from 15.8 to 7.2 (Hedges g=1.62); 50% of participants responded, 45% remitted, and improvement was maintained at 1 month. Anhedonia, mindfulness, and self-reported cognitive function also improved (g=0.76 to 1.23), with gains maintained at 1 month.\n\nConclusionsAccelerated 6 mA HC-tDCS was feasible, well tolerated, and warrants a sham-controlled trial.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Medical University of South Carolina"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 13,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "C. Olash"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Collins"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Smani"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. S. Cox"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Bikson"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Donnery"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. FallahRad"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. B. Koochesfahani"
    },
    {
      "name": "J.-P. Miron"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Latham"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Freels"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Chasen"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. S. George"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ebzv1m62v1bbw.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.05.26364655",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.26364655v1.full",
  "id": "ebzv1m62v1bbw",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.26364655v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "psychiatry and clinical psychology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2808|Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221036998",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.26364655v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-05",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ebzv1m62v1bbw.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:23Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.05.26364655",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.26364655v2"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:psychiatry and clinical psychology",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Accelerated high-capacity 6 mA transcranial direct current stimulation for major depression: an open-label pilot study",
  "title_text": "Accelerated high-capacity 6 mA transcranial direct current stimulation for major depression: an open-label pilot study",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:04Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ebzv1m62v1bbw",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}