Neuromodulation With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to Control Excess Weight

A total of 40 subjects with overweight or class I obesity will be enrolled and randomized into either Group 1) Active tDCS or Group 2) Sham (control) tDCS. The duration of the study will be 4 weeks. During the first two weeks participants will receive eight sessions of tDCS. At week 2 they will also start a hypocaloric diet. The stimulation sessions (duration: 20 minutes, intensity: 2 mA) will be applied once daily (5 days in a row) during the first week and 3 alternate days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) during the second week. At week 2 and until the end of the study subjects will also start a hypocaloric diet. The study aims are: 1. To examine whether anodal tDCS applied over the left prefrontal cortex can improve executive functions/inhibitory control and reduce subjective ratings of food craving and appetite. 2. To study whether anodal tDCS applied over the left prefrontal cortex, in combination with a hypocaloric diet, can facilitate weight reduction and maintenance over time.