Epidural direct current stimulation over the left medial prefrontal cortex facilitates spatial working memory performance in rats.

Background: Extensive evidence supports the notion that modulation of PFC excitability using low-intensity electrical stimulation is a promising modality for treating neuropsychiatric diseases and improving cognitive function.

Objective: This study examined the effects of epidural direct current stimulation (eDCS), a method providing smaller shunting of current and more focal stimulation, on spatial working memory.

Methods: Male Wistar rats that were well trained in an 8-arm radial maze and in which 5-mm round electrodes were implanted over the left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) received anodal eDCS (400 μA during 11 min) (n = 9) or sham procedure (n = 9) five minutes before delayed tests in the radial maze.