<p><strong>Short answer</strong><br>
The underlying mechanism(s) causing the differences between the effectiveness of anodic and cathodic neural stimulation are largely unknown.  </p>

<p><strong>Background</strong><br>
As far as I know, the exact difference between the effectiveness of cathodic versus anodic stimulation are largely unknown. For instance, in animals and humans, both anodic and cathodic pulses can evoke neural responses. In human cochlear implant users, the anodic phase is more effective than the cathodic phase. In contrast, in animals (guinea pigs, cats and ferrets) exactly the opposite is observed. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27080654" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Machery &amp; Cazals, 2016)</a>.</p>

<p>The authors in your linked article state <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026574/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(McFadden, 2011)</a>: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>We hypothesize that the mechanism behind this may be associated with a concentrated exiting of current from the scalp at the cathode.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This, honestly, makes little sense as that same current was injected at the anode, barred the electrode sizes were not different.   </p>

<p><sub><strong>Reference</strong><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27080654" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Machery &amp; Cazals, <em>Adv Exp Med Biol</em> (2016); <strong>894</strong>:133-42</a><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026574/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">McFadden <em>et al</em>., <em>Brain Stimul</em> (2011); <strong>4</strong>(1): 38–42</a></sub> </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-19T08:07:44.153Z
2018-10-19T22:42:38.940Z
2018-10-19T22:42:38.940Z
AliceD
<p>My best answer: Although the cathode contains negative charge, ions that it influences initially only live in the extracellular space. </p>

<p>Neurons are largely regulated by the voltage <em>difference</em> between inside and outside the cell.</p>

<p>If the cathodal electrode makes the extracellular space more and more negative, it follows that the intracellular space <em>relative</em> to the outside becomes more positive. This leads to increased firing and sensation at the cathodal electrode.</p>

<p>After about 60 seconds of tDCS, the sensation fades. The neurons have grown accustomed to a new default level of positive ions relative to surrounding electrons. The internal space has adopted more electrons.</p>

<p>Now, a follow-up question would be why anodal stimulation is often associated with activation.  Of that, I am not sure. Additionally, wouldnt there be firing associated with removal of the anodal electrode if this theory were true?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-24T10:18:35.270Z
Could you add some resources? Also, if you have a follow up question, please ask a new question instead of putting it into an answer. Thanks.
AliceD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-24T13:50:52.277Z
It does not seem worth it to me yet, because the popular answer on the web is that there is an equally likely chance that the "cathodal" electrode is actually just a misnomer due to Ben Franklin thinking current was positive charge and actually the cathodal electrode contains positive charge not negative charge. Basically, I have no idea yet if this answer is correct, but I will test it on myself this week and find out.
K Mmmm
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-24T13:51:40.270Z
It is also possible that they are felt equally, and that the above experiment used a highly sensitive (low-impedance) spot on the skin for the cathodal electrode. In any case, this answer is conjecture and not suitable for acceptance yet.
K Mmmm
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-24T13:54:59.200Z
Interesting! Would be awesome if you could add your findings here.
AliceD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-18T20:48:46.057Z
2018-04-18T20:48:46.057Z
K Mmmm
<p>If neurons fire due to an intracellular influx of positive ions, why are the negative electrodes in tDCS felt more strongly than the others? For example, see "<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026574/" rel="noreferrer">Reducing Procedural Pain and Discomfort Associated with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation</a>" by McFadden et al.</p>

<cognitive-neuroscience><pain><tdcs>
Why does cathodal tDCS (negative) produce sensation, while anodal tDCS (positive) does not?
K Mmmm
# Why does cathodal tDCS (negative) produce sensation, while anodal tDCS (positive) does not?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-04-18)

If neurons fire due to an intracellular influx of positive ions, why are the negative electrodes in tDCS felt more strongly than the others? For example, see "[Reducing Procedural Pain and Discomfort Associated with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026574/)" by McFadden et al.

**Tags:** cognitive-neuroscience, pain, tdcs


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-10-19. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

**Short answer**  
The underlying mechanism(s) causing the differences between the effectiveness of anodic and cathodic neural stimulation are largely unknown.

**Background**  
As far as I know, the exact difference between the effectiveness of cathodic versus anodic stimulation are largely unknown. For instance, in animals and humans, both anodic and cathodic pulses can evoke neural responses. In human cochlear implant users, the anodic phase is more effective than the cathodic phase. In contrast, in animals (guinea pigs, cats and ferrets) exactly the opposite is observed. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear [(Machery & Cazals, 2016)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27080654).

The authors in your linked article state [(McFadden, 2011)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026574/):

> We hypothesize that the mechanism behind this may be associated with a concentrated exiting of current from the scalp at the cathode.

This, honestly, makes little sense as that same current was injected at the anode, barred the electrode sizes were not different.

**Reference**  
**-** [Machery & Cazals, *Adv Exp Med Biol* (2016); **894**:133-42](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27080654)  
**-** [McFadden *et al*., *Brain Stimul* (2011); **4**(1): 38–42](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026574/)


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### Answer by username_0 on 2018-04-18. Score: 0

My best answer: Although the cathode contains negative charge, ions that it influences initially only live in the extracellular space.

Neurons are largely regulated by the voltage *difference* between inside and outside the cell.

If the cathodal electrode makes the extracellular space more and more negative, it follows that the intracellular space *relative* to the outside becomes more positive. This leads to increased firing and sensation at the cathodal electrode.

After about 60 seconds of tDCS, the sensation fades. The neurons have grown accustomed to a new default level of positive ions relative to surrounding electrons. The internal space has adopted more electrons.

Now, a follow-up question would be why anodal stimulation is often associated with activation. Of that, I am not sure. Additionally, wouldnt there be firing associated with removal of the anodal electrode if this theory were true?

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you add some resources? Also, if you have a follow up question, please ask a new question instead of putting it into an answer. Thanks.  
> **username_0**: It does not seem worth it to me yet, because the popular answer on the web is that there is an equally likely chance that the "cathodal" electrode is actually just a misnomer due to Ben Franklin thinking current was positive charge and actually the cathodal electrode contains positive charge not negative charge. Basically, I have no idea yet if this answer is correct, but I will test it on myself this week and find out.  
> **username_0**: It is also possible that they are felt equally, and that the above experiment used a highly sensitive (low-impedance) spot on the skin for the cathodal electrode. In any case, this answer is conjecture and not suitable for acceptance yet.  
> **username_1**: Interesting! Would be awesome if you could add your findings here.  

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