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Prillinger K, Radev ST, Amador de Lara G, Werneck-Rohrer S, Plener PL, Poustka L, Konicar L. Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Social Attention Patterns and Emotion Recognition Ability in Male Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5570. [PMID: 37685637 PMCID: PMC10489141 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social cognition including emotion recognition (ER) abilities. Common symptoms include unusual patterns of visual social attention, which are investigated as early developmental biomarkers for ASD. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has shown promising results in influencing social functioning in individuals with ASD. However, the effects of tDCS on social attention patterns and ER ability in adolescents with ASD remain unclear. This double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial examined the effects of repeated sessions of tDCS on gaze behavior and ER ability in 22 male adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Participants received either 20 min of 2 mA active tDCS or sham stimulation for 10 days and an intra-stimulation training. Social allocation patterns were assessed using eye-tracking paradigms, including ER tasks. Our results indicated no tDCS-specific effects. Both groups showed improvements in ER and more frequent, faster, and longer fixations on the eyes than the mouth, and on social than nonsocial areas. In tasks with low social content, fixating the mouth seemed to increase ER accuracy. Understanding the effects of tDCS on social functioning in adolescents with ASD holds promise for the development of targeted interventions to improve their social cognition abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Prillinger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan T. Radev
- Cluster of Excellence STRUCTURES, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Gabriel Amador de Lara
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonja Werneck-Rohrer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul L. Plener
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, 89073 Ulm, Germany
| | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lilian Konicar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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2
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Balconi M, Angioletti L, Cassioli F. Hyperscanning EEG Paradigm Applied to Remote vs. Face-To-Face Learning in Managerial Contexts: Which Is Better? Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020356. [PMID: 36831899 PMCID: PMC9954592 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose a hyperscanning research design, where electroencephalographic (EEG) data were collected on an instructor and teams of learners. We compared neurophysiological measures within the frequency domain (delta, theta, alpha, and beta EEG bands) in the two conditions: face-to-face and remote settings. Data collection was carried out using wearable EEG systems. Conversational analysis was previously applied to detect comparable EEG time blocks and semantic topics. The digitalization of training can be considered a challenge but also a chance for organizations. However, if not carefully addressed, it might constitute a criticality. Limited research explored how remote, as opposed to face-to-face, training affects cognitive, (such as memory and attention), affective, and social processes in workgroups. Data showed an alpha desynchronization and, conversely, a theta and beta synchronization for the face-to-face condition. Moreover, trainees showed different patterns for beta power depending on the setting condition, with significantly increased power spectral density (PSD) in the face-to-face condition. These results highlight the relevance of neurophysiological measures in testing the e-learning process, in relation to the emotional engagement, memory encoding, and attentional processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Balconi
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Angioletti
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-2-7234-5929
| | - Federico Cassioli
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
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3
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Electrophysiological and neuropsychological assessment of cognition in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 patients: a pilot study. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:1597-1606. [PMID: 36639526 PMCID: PMC10102071 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06597-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Event-related potentials (ERPs) reflect cognitive processing: negative early components (N100, N200) are involved in the sensory and perceptual processing of a stimulus, whereas late positive component P300 requires conscious attention. Both neuropsychological and affective disorders are present in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), but the underlying mechanisms need further clarification. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this pilot study, we assessed cognitive processing by recording auditory ERPs in 16 consecutive SCA1 patients and 16 healthy controls (HC) matched for age and sex. Motor and nonmotor symptoms were evaluated using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and an extensive neuropsychological battery. ERPs were recorded using an oddball paradigm, and peak latency and amplitude of N100, N200, and P300 were measured in the averaged responses to target tones. RESULTS We found in SCA1 significantly increased latencies of N200 and P300 (p=0.033, p=0.007) and decreased amplitudes of N100 and P300 (p=0.024, p=0.038) compared with HC. Furthermore, P300 latency had the highest AUC in the discrimination of SCA1 in ROC analysis. The expansion of trinucleotide repeats correlated with P300 latency (r=-0.607, p=0.048), whereas both P300 and N100 amplitudes correlated with the severity of motor symptoms (r=-0.692, p=0.003; r=-0.621; p=0.010). Significant correlations between P300 latency and the scores of Emotion Attribution Task (r=-0.633, p=0.027), as well as between N200 latency and the scores of Frontal Assessment Battery and Stroop test (r=-0.520, p=0.047; r=0.538, p=0.039), were observed. CONCLUSIONS This research provides for the first time an extensive characterization of ERPs as useful electrophysiological markers to identify early cognitive dysfunction in SCA1.
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Ge Y, Su R, Liang Z, Luo J, Tian S, Shen X, Wu H, Liu C. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Right Temporal Parietal Junction Facilitates Spontaneous Micro-Expression Recognition. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:933831. [PMID: 35874155 PMCID: PMC9305610 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.933831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-expressions are fleeting and subtle emotional expressions. As they are spontaneous and uncontrollable by one's mind, micro-expressions are considered an indicator of genuine emotions. Their accurate recognition and interpretation promote interpersonal interaction and social communication. Therefore, enhancing the ability to recognize micro-expressions has captured much attention. In the current study, we investigated the effects of training on micro-expression recognition with a Chinese version of the Micro-Expression Training Tool (METT). Our goal was to confirm whether the recognition accuracy of spontaneous micro-expressions could be improved through training and brain stimulation. Since the right temporal parietal junction (rTPJ) has been shown to be involved in the explicit process of facial emotion recognition, we hypothesized that the rTPJ would play a role in facilitating the recognition of micro-expressions. The results showed that anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) of the rTPJ indeed improved the recognition of spontaneous micro-expressions, especially for those associated with fear. The improved accuracy of recognizing fear spontaneous micro-expressions was positively correlated with personal distress in the anodal group but not in the sham group. Our study supports that the combined use of tDCS and METT can be a viable way to train and enhance micro-expression recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Biomedicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Su
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zilu Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Beijing Institute of Biomedicine, Beijing, China
| | - Suizi Tian
- School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xunbing Shen
- College of Humanities, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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5
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Repetti C, Eskenazi M, Garcia S. You feel me? A randomized trial of tDCS on pain empathy. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 179:1-5. [PMID: 35753564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Pain empathy has a number of social benefits, but can be problematic in those who feel the pain of others too much. The current study examined the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a modifier of pain empathy with the expectation that cathodal stimulation would decrease pain empathy. Anxiety and general empathy were controlled for, given past work demonstrating their impact on pain empathy. Participants were randomized to either active (cathodal; n = 55) or sham tDCS (n = 55) at 2 mA for 20 min while watching videos of painful events and completing a pain empathy simulation questionnaire. Bayesian linear regression analysis indicated no evidence that tDCS condition affected pain empathy. However, there was strong evidence in favor of a positive relationship between anxiety and pain empathy, and extreme evidence between general empathy and pain empathy. The current study examined a montage over the temporoparietal junction though future work should also investigate other areas related to pain empathy such as the anterior cingulate cortex. Results provide evidence of the need for stronger methodological considerations with regard to tDCS including larger sample sizes. Further, the connection between anxiety and pain empathy demonstrates the need for treatments to not only target classic anxiety symptoms, but other factors than may worsen daily functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah Garcia
- Stetson University, DeLand, FL, United States of America.
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6
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Ostrowski J, Svaldi J, Schroeder PA. More focal, less heterogeneous? Multi-level meta-analysis of cathodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation effects on language and cognition. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2022; 129:861-878. [PMID: 35585206 PMCID: PMC9217872 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02507-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a relatively focal, novel non-invasive brain stimulation method with the potential to investigate the causal contributions of specific cortical brain regions to language and cognition. Studies with HD-tDCS typically employ a 4 × 1 electrode design with a single central target electrode surrounded by four return electrodes, among which return current intensity is evenly distributed. With cathodal HD-tDCS, neural excitability in the target region is assumed to be reduced, which offers interesting perspectives for neuropsychological research and interventions. This multi-level meta-analysis compiles published studies using cathodal HD-tDCS in 4 × 1 configuration to modulate cognition and behavior. Regarding HD-tDCS, 77 effect sizes were gathered from 11 eligible reports. We extended this database with 52 effect sizes from 11 comparable reports using conventional tDCS with cathodal polarity. We observed no significant overall effect and no moderation by within-study and between-study variables in HD. In the extended analysis, results suggested a non-linear moderation of cathodal tDCS effects by intensity, driven by negative effect sizes at 1.5 mA. However, studies varied tremendously in task parameters, outcomes, and even technical parameters. Interestingly, within-study heterogeneity exceeded between-study heterogeneity in the present sample, and moderators hardly reduced the residual heterogeneity. Across domains and configurations, both positive and negative effect sizes are possible. We discuss the findings in relation to conventional cathodal tDCS and the framework of polarity specificity. Fundamental aspects of cathodal HD-tDCS are still to be addressed in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostrowski
- Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Svaldi
- Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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7
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Neuromodulation of facial emotion recognition in health and disease: A systematic review. Neurophysiol Clin 2022; 52:183-201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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8
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Padrón I, García-Marco E, Moreno I, Birba A, Silvestri V, León I, Álvarez C, López J, de Vega M. Multisession Anodal tDCS on the Right Temporo-Parietal Junction Improves Mentalizing Processes in Adults with Autistic Traits. Brain Sci 2021; 12:brainsci12010030. [PMID: 35053774 PMCID: PMC8773564 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have impaired mentalizing skills. In this study, a group of persons with ASD traits (high-AQ scores) initially received sham tDCS before completing a pre-test in two mentalizing tasks: false belief and self-other judgments. Over the next week, on four consecutive days, they received sessions of anodal electrical stimulation (a-tDCS) over the right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ), a region frequently associated with the theory of mind. On the last day, after the stimulation session, they completed a new set of mentalizing tasks. A control group (with low-AQ scores) matched in age, education and intelligence received just sham stimulation and completed the same pre-test and post-test. The results showed that the high-AQ group improved their performance (faster responses), after a-tDCS, in the false belief and in the self-other judgments of mental features, whereas they did not change performance in the false photographs or the self-other judgments of physical features. These selective improvements cannot be attributed to increased familiarity with the tasks, because the performance of the low-AQ control group remained stable about one week later. Therefore, our study provides initial proof that tDCS could be used to improve mentalizing skills in persons with ASD traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Padrón
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (I.P.); (E.G.-M.); (I.M.); (I.L.); (C.Á.); (J.L.)
| | - Enrique García-Marco
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (I.P.); (E.G.-M.); (I.M.); (I.L.); (C.Á.); (J.L.)
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Canarias, 38300 La Orotava, Spain
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iván Moreno
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (I.P.); (E.G.-M.); (I.M.); (I.L.); (C.Á.); (J.L.)
| | - Agustina Birba
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San Andrés, Buenos Aires B1644BID, Argentina;
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina
| | - Valentina Silvestri
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | - Inmaculada León
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (I.P.); (E.G.-M.); (I.M.); (I.L.); (C.Á.); (J.L.)
| | - Carlos Álvarez
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (I.P.); (E.G.-M.); (I.M.); (I.L.); (C.Á.); (J.L.)
| | - Joana López
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (I.P.); (E.G.-M.); (I.M.); (I.L.); (C.Á.); (J.L.)
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Manuel de Vega
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (I.P.); (E.G.-M.); (I.M.); (I.L.); (C.Á.); (J.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-630027293
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Andò A, Vasilotta ML, Zennaro A. The modulation of emotional awareness using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques: a literature review on TMS and tDCS. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/20445911.2021.1954013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Andò
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Pereira HC, Sousa D, Simões M, Martins R, Amaral C, Lopes V, Crisóstomo J, Castelo-Branco M. Effects of anodal multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on social-cognitive performance in healthy subjects: A randomized sham-controlled crossover pilot study. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 264:259-286. [PMID: 34167659 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that temporoparietal junction (TPJ) modulation can influence attention and social cognition performance. Nevertheless, no studies have used multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over bilateral TPJ to estimate the effects on these neuropsychological functions. The project STIPED is using optimized multichannel stimulation as an innovative treatment approach for chronic pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, namely in children/adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this pilot study, we aim to explore whether anodal multichannel tDCS coupled with a Joint Attention Task (JAT) influences social-cognitive task performance relative to sham stimulation, both in an Emotion Recognition Task (ERT) and in a Mooney Faces Detection Task (MFDT), as well as to evaluate this technique's safety and tolerability. Twenty healthy adults were enrolled in a randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled, crossover study. During two sessions, participants completed the ERT and the MFDT before and after 20min of sham or anodal tDCS over bilateral TPJ. No significant differences on performance accuracy and reaction time were found between stimulation conditions for all tasks, including the JAT. A significant main time effect for overall accuracy and reaction time was found for the MFDT. Itching was the most common side effect and stimulation conditions detection was at chance level. Results suggest that multichannel tDCS over bilateral TPJ does not affect performance of low-level emotional recognition tasks in healthy adults. Although preliminary safety and tolerability are demonstrated, further studies over longer periods will be pursued to investigate the clinical efficacy in children/adolescents with ASD, where social cognition impairments are preponderant.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Catarina Pereira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniela Sousa
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marco Simões
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Informatics and Systems, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Martins
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Amaral
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vânia Lopes
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Crisóstomo
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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11
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Luckhardt C, Boxhoorn S, Schütz M, Fann N, Freitag CM. Brain stimulation by tDCS as treatment option in Autism Spectrum Disorder-A systematic literature review. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 264:233-257. [PMID: 34167658 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction as well as stereotypical and repetitive behavior. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proposed as a new intervention method in ASD with the potential to improve cognitive, motor and social communication abilities by targeting specific underlying neuronal alterations. Here, we report results of a systematic literature review on tDCS effects on EEG and behavioral outcomes, and discuss tDCS as treatment option for ASD. PsychInfo, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, https://clinicaltrials.gov and the German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien) were searched systematically for randomized, sham-controlled clinical trials of tDCS in individuals with ASD, and information regarding study designs and relevant results was extracted. Six eligible studies were identified. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was targeted in four trials, with core ASD symptoms and working memory as outcome measures. One study targeted the primary motor cortex (M1) with motor skills as outcome, and one study targeted the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) with social communication skills as outcome measure. Comparison of the implemented study designs showed high methodological variability between studies regarding stimulation parameters, trial design and outcome measures. Study results indicate initial support for improved cognitive and social communication skills in ASD following tDCS stimulation. However, systematic and comparison studies on the best combination of stimulation intensity, duration, location as well as task related stimulation are necessary, before results can be translated into routine clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Luckhardt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Sara Boxhoorn
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Magdalena Schütz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nikola Fann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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12
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Luckhardt C, Schütz M, Mühlherr A, Mössinger H, Boxhoorn S, Dempfle A, Salvador R, Ruffini G, Pereira HC, Castelo-Branco M, Latinus M, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Siemann J, Siniatchkin M, Ecker C, Freitag CM. Phase-IIa randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel group trial on anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left and right tempo-parietal junction in autism spectrum disorder-StimAT: study protocol for a clinical trial. Trials 2021; 22:248. [PMID: 33823927 PMCID: PMC8025356 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05172-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication and interaction, and stereotyped, repetitive behaviour and sensory interests. To date, there is no effective medication that can improve social communication and interaction in ASD, and effect sizes of behaviour-based psychotherapy remain in the low to medium range. Consequently, there is a clear need for new treatment options. ASD is associated with altered activation and connectivity patterns in brain areas which process social information. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique that applies a weak electrical current to the brain in order to modulate neural excitability and alter connectivity. Combined with specific cognitive tasks, it allows to facilitate and consolidate the respective training effects. Therefore, application of tDCS in brain areas relevant to social cognition in combination with a specific cognitive training is a promising treatment approach for ASD. Methods A phase-IIa pilot randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-group clinical study is presented, which aims at investigating if 10 days of 20-min multi-channel tDCS stimulation of the bilateral tempo-parietal junction (TPJ) at 2.0 mA in combination with a computer-based cognitive training on perspective taking, intention and emotion understanding, can improve social cognitive abilities in children and adolescents with ASD. The main objectives are to describe the change in parent-rated social responsiveness from baseline (within 1 week before first stimulation) to post-intervention (within 7 days after last stimulation) and to monitor safety and tolerability of the intervention. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of change in parent-rated social responsiveness at follow-up (4 weeks after end of intervention), change in other ASD core symptoms and psychopathology, social cognitive abilities and neural functioning post-intervention and at follow-up in order to explore underlying neural and cognitive mechanisms. Discussion If shown, positive results regarding change in parent-rated social cognition and favourable safety and tolerability of the intervention will confirm tDCS as a promising treatment for ASD core-symptoms. This may be a first step in establishing a new and cost-efficient intervention for individuals with ASD. Trial registration The trial is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00014732. Registered on 15 August 2018. Protocol version This study protocol refers to protocol version 1.2 from 24 May 2019. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05172-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Luckhardt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstr.50, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Magdalena Schütz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstr.50, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Mühlherr
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstr.50, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hannah Mössinger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstr.50, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sara Boxhoorn
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstr.50, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Astrid Dempfle
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics (IMIS), Kiel University, Brunswiker Str. 10, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ricardo Salvador
- Neuroelectrics SLU, Av. Tibidabo 47 Bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giulio Ruffini
- Neuroelectrics SLU, Av. Tibidabo 47 Bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helena C Pereira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra (UC), Paco das Escolas, 3001 451, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra (UC), Paco das Escolas, 3001 451, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marianne Latinus
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Centre de Pédopsychiatrie, CHRU Bretonneau, 2 bd Tonnellé, 37044, Tours Cedex 9, France
| | - Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Centre de Pédopsychiatrie, CHRU Bretonneau, 2 bd Tonnellé, 37044, Tours Cedex 9, France.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours (CHUT), Centre Universitaire de Pédopsychiatrie, UMR930 INSERM / Equipe autism, CHRU Tours / Hôpital Bretonneau, 2 Bd Tonnellé, 37044, Tours Cedex 9, France
| | - Julia Siemann
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital Bethel, EvKB, Remterweg 13a, 33617, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Michael Siniatchkin
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital Bethel, EvKB, Remterweg 13a, 33617, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christine Ecker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstr.50, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstr.50, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
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Bahji A, Forth E, Yang CC, Khalifa N. Transcranial direct current stimulation for empathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Neurosci 2021; 16:232-255. [PMID: 33567964 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2021.1889657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has been used to modulate empathy, but no studies have meta-analyzed the evidence base for its efficacy. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of tDCS at modulating empathy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials involving anodal or cathodal versus sham tDCS to modulate empathy in healthy adults and clinical populations. Random-effects modelling was applied to pooling overall efficacy estimates using standardized mean differences (Hedge's g) and 95% confidence intervals. Outcome measures for tasks designed to measure empathy were reaction time and accuracy. Anodal tDCS appears to improve lab-based computerized measures of cognitive empathy in healthy adult volunteers. While the evidence provided by this review may be of relevance to individuals with impaired empathic capabilities, the generalizability of our findings is geared towards nonclinical populations given the preponderance of healthy volunteers in our review. Hence, it is not clear if moderate improvements in speed and accuracy on lab-based computerized empathy measures would lead to meaningful clinical improvements. Future studies should consider the use of tDCS to modulate empathy in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Evan Forth
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Cheng-Chang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Najat Khalifa
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
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Galli G, Miniussi C, Pellicciari MC. Transcranial electric stimulation as a neural interface to gain insight on human brain functions: current knowledge and future perspective. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 17:4-14. [PMID: 32756871 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsaa099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of brain-stimulation approaches in social and affective science has greatly increased over the last two decades. The interest in social factors has grown along with technological advances in brain research. Transcranial electric stimulation (tES) is a research tool that allows scientists to establish contributory causality between brain functioning and social behaviour, therefore deepening our understanding of the social mind. Preliminary evidence is also starting to demonstrate that tES, either alone or in combination with pharmacological or behavioural interventions, can alleviate the symptomatology of individuals with affective or social cognition disorders. This review offers an overview of the application of tES in the field of social and affective neuroscience. We discuss issues and challenges related to this application and suggest avenue for future basic and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Galli
- Department of Psychology, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Carlo Miniussi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences - CIMeC, University of Trento, Corso Bettini, 31, 38068 Rovereto, TN Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Pellicciari
- UniCamillus - Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, via di Sant'Alessandro 8, 00131, Rome, Italy
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15
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Anodal tDCS of right temporo-parietal junction promotes threat detection in low-spatial-frequency channels. Neuropsychologia 2020; 146:107552. [PMID: 32623011 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Fast detection of threat is crucial for survival. Previous studies have suggested the involvement of low- and high-spatial-frequency (LSF and HSF) information in the process of threat detection. However, the specific contributions of LSF and HSF information to it are still controversial. Here we probed this issue by utilizing a prime procedure coupled with the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) technique. Specifically, in a single-blind design, participants were exposed to LSF or HSF faces prior to the presentation of looming or receding spheres. Meanwhile, tDCS was applied over the right or left temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), which has been found to be preferentially associated with the processing of LSF and HSF information, respectively. The results showed significant LSF-related facilitation of threat detection when anodal tDCS was applied to the right TPJ. However, HSF-related facilitation of threat detection was not observed when anodal tDCS was applied to the left TPJ. The findings support the idea that LSF information can facilitate threat detection, and provide direct evidence that the right TPJ is vital for LSF-related facilitation of threat detection.
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16
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Jog M, Jann K, Yan L, Huang Y, Parra L, Narr K, Bikson M, Wang DJJ. Concurrent Imaging of Markers of Current Flow and Neurophysiological Changes During tDCS. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:374. [PMID: 32372913 PMCID: PMC7186453 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being a popular neuromodulation technique, clinical translation of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is hampered by variable responses observed within treatment cohorts. Addressing this challenge has been difficult due to the lack of an effective means of mapping the neuromodulatory electromagnetic fields together with the brain's response. In this study, we present a novel imaging technique that provides the capability of concurrently mapping markers of tDCS currents, as well as the brain's response to tDCS. A dual-echo echo-planar imaging (DE-EPI) sequence is used, wherein the phase of the acquired MRI-signal encodes the tDCS current induced magnetic field, while the magnitude encodes the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast. The proposed technique was first validated in a custom designed phantom. Subsequent test-retest experiments in human participants showed that tDCS-induced magnetic fields can be detected reliably in vivo. The concurrently acquired BOLD data revealed large-scale networks characteristic of a brain in resting-state as well as a 'cathodal' and an 'anodal' resting-state component under each electrode. Moreover, 'cathodal's BOLD-signal was observed to significantly decrease with the applied current at the group level in all datasets. With its ability to image markers of electromagnetic cause as well as neurophysiological changes, the proposed technique may provide an effective means to visualize neural engagement in tDCS at the group level. Our technique also contributes to addressing confounding factors in applying BOLD fMRI concurrently with tDCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayank Jog
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology, Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kay Jann
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology, Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lirong Yan
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology, Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the City College of The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lucas Parra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the City College of The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Katherine Narr
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marom Bikson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the City College of The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Danny J J Wang
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology, Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Donaldson PH, Kirkovski M, Yang JS, Bekkali S, Enticott PG. High-definition tDCS to the right temporoparietal junction modulates slow-wave resting state power and coherence in healthy adults. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:1735-1744. [DOI: 10.1152/jn.00338.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) is a multisensory integration hub that is increasingly utilized as a target of stimulation studies exploring its rich functional network roles and potential clinical applications. While transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is frequently employed in such studies, there is still relatively little known regarding its local and network neurophysiological effects, particularly at important nonmotor sites such as the rTPJ. The current study applied either anodal, cathodal, or sham high-definition tDCS to the rTPJ of 53 healthy participants and used offline EEG to assess the impacts of stimulation on resting state (eyes open and eyes closed) band power and coherence. Temporoparietal and central region delta power was increased after anodal stimulation (the latter trend only), whereas cathodal stimulation increased frontal region delta and theta power. Increased coherence between right and left temporoparietal regions was also observed after anodal stimulation. All significant effects occurred in the eyes open condition. These findings are discussed with reference to domain general and mechanistic theories of rTPJ function. Low-frequency oscillatory activity may exert long-range inhibitory network influences that enable switching between and integration of endogenous/exogenous processing streams.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Through the novel use of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and EEG, we provide evidence that both anodal and cathodal stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction selectively modulate slow-wave power and coherence in distributed network regions of known relevance to proposed temporoparietal junction functionality. These results also provide direct evidence of the ability of tDCS to modulate oscillatory activity at a long-range network level, which may have explanatory power in terms of both neurophysiological and behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa Kirkovski
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joel S. Yang
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Soukayna Bekkali
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter G. Enticott
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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