Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex does not reduce depressive symptoms more than sham stimulation in patients with treatment-resistant depression. In a randomized controlled trial, both active and sham tDCS groups showed similar improvements in depression scores over six weeks, with no significant difference between them. The findings suggest that tDCS, as administered in this protocol, is not effective as a standalone treatment for this population.
In adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program increased functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and both the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and showed trends of reduced hippocampal atrophy compared to usual care. These preliminary results suggest MBSR may positively affect brain regions linked to MCI and Alzheimer's disease, though larger studies with longer follow-up are needed.