Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment

Patients will be randomized to active treatment (C-tDCS) vs sham stimulation in a 3:1 ratio. There will be 6 dose tiers, reflecting increasing intensity and duration of stimulation: Tier 1 - 1 mA, single 20 - min cycle; Tier 2- 2 mA, single 20 min cycle; Tier 3 - 1 mA, 2 cycles of 20 min/20 min off; Tier 4- 2 mA, 2 cycles of 20 min/20 min off; Tier 5 - 1 mA, 3 cycles of 20 min/20 min off; Tier 6 - 2 mA, 3 cycles of 20 min/20 min off.

Patients will be randomized to active treatment (C-tDCS) vs sham stimulation in a 3:1 ratio. Patients in the sham stimulation arm at all the tiers will have the headgear and electrodes in place, and the switch for sham stimulation will be on, i.e. no prolonged electrical stimulation will be delivered.