Brain zapping study hints at new breathing therapies

This early study tested whether a painless, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS could change the brain's control over the diaphragm—the main muscle for breathing. Twelve healthy men received three types of stimulation (anodal, cathodal, or placebo) on different days. The goal was to see if brain signals to the diaphragm got stronger or weaker. This was a first step to see if tDCS might one day help people with breathing weakness.