Enhancement of cognitive control and stabilization of affect by prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

Background and Aim: The adaptation ability to the multifaceted nature and the difficulties of today's life can be mediated by cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation. Working memory is controlling the goal-directed manner and the problem-solving process, while any deficits in this aspect of cognitive function might be involved in psychopathology of psychiatric diseases. On the other hand, effective emotion regulation can promote psychological wellbeing and social survival. At the neural level, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) seems to be mainly involved in the mechanisms underlying working memory and emotion processing. Previous studies have shown that weak transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) induces activity changes in the working memory and emotion regulation. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind test-controlled design, ۴۰ participants were received anodal (۲ mA) or sham tDCS over the left DLPFC in three sessions. Before and after the intervention, working memory and affect were measured using the n-back test and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), respectively. Results: In this study, the possibility of altering working memory and regulating mood and affect by inducing a low-current tDCS was investigated. Conclusion: The results in the experimental group, compared to the sham group, indicated improvements in both correct responses and response time as well as positive affect. These findings support the role of tDCS on working memory and affects with regard to intensity and location of stimulation. This effect is probably related to an increase of excitability in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

کلیدواژه ها:

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) ، Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) ، Working Memory ، Emotion