Table 1.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
| INCLUSION CRITERIA |
| 21 – 90 years of age |
| Between 25 hours (day 2) to 144 (day 6) hours since stroke onset |
| Unilateral hemispheric (cortical or subcortical) infarction documented by imaging |
| Moderate to severe dysphagia with a PAS score ≥ 4 |
| EXCLUSION CRITERIA |
| Prior history of swallowing difficulties |
| Any other condition that may independently cause dysphagia |
| NIHSS score at enrollment > 25 |
| Drowsiness or marked cognitive impairment that interferes with participation in swallowing maneuvers |
| Severe language comprehension difficulties, requiring only proxy consent for participation |
| Intubation ≥ 4 days |
| Ongoing use of the following CNS-active medications that can interfere with the effect of tDCS-carbamazepine, pheyntoin, valproic acid and dextromethorphan |
| Severe COPD (oxygen dependent) |
| Advanced CHF |
| Any other medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator significantly shortens life expectancy |
| Significant hemorrhagic transformation [defined as dense hematoma >30% of the infarcted area with substantial space-occupying effect or as any hemorrhagic lesion outside the infarcted area] on brain imaging studies prior to enrollment |
| Unable to undergo an MRI due to claustrophobia or presence of electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated implant (including cardiac pacemaker), intracerebral vascular clips or any other electrically sensitive support system, metal in any part of the body, including metallic injury to eye, or pregnancy |
| Likely candidates for hemicraniectomy, carotid surgery or stenting |
Presence of a potential tDCS risk factor:
|