Polarity-specific transcranial direct current stimulation effects on object-selective neural responses in the inferior parietal lobe

Characterizing the discriminability of visual categorical information in strongly connected voxels

Functional brain responses are strongly influenced by connectivity. Recently, we demonstrated a major example of this: category discriminability within occipitotemporal cortex (OTC) is enhanced for voxel sets that share strong functional connectivity to distal brain areas, relative to those that share lesser connectivity. That is, within OTC regions, sets of 'most-connected' voxels show improved multivoxel pattern discriminability for tool-, face-, and place stimuli relative to voxels with weaker connectivity to the wider brain. However, understanding whether these effects generalize to other domains (e.g. body perception network), and across different levels of the visual processing streams (e.g. dorsal as well as ventral stream areas) is an important extension of this work. Here, we show that this so-called connectivity-guided decoding (CGD) effect broadly generalizes across a wide range of categories (tools, faces, bodies, hands, places). This effect is robust across dorsal stream areas, but less consistent in earlier ventral stream areas. In the latter regions, category discriminability is generally very high, suggesting that extraction of category-relevant visual properties is less reliant on connectivity to downstream areas. Further, CGD effects are primarily expressed in a category-specific manner: For example, within the network of tool regions, discriminability of tool information is greater than non-tool information. The connectivity-guided decoding approach shown here provides a novel demonstration of the crucial relationship between wider brain connectivity and complex local-level functional responses at different levels of the visual processing streams. Further, this approach generates testable new hypotheses about the relationships between connectivity and local selectivity.

HD-tDCS of primary and higher-order motor cortex affects action word processing

The contribution of action-perception systems of the brain to lexical semantics remains controversial. Here, we used high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) in healthy adults to examine the role of primary (left hand motor area; HMA) and higher-order (left anterior inferior parietal lobe; aIPL) action areas in action-related word processing (action verbs and manipulable nouns) compared to non-action-related control words (non-action verbs and non-manipulable nouns). We investigated stimulation-related effects at three levels of semantic processing: subliminal, implicit, and explicit. Broadly, we found that stimulation of HMA and aIPL resulted in relative facilitation of action-related language processing compared to non-action. HMA stimulation facilitated action verb processing in subliminal and implicit task contexts, suggesting that HMA helps represent action verbs even in semantically shallow tasks. HMA stimulation also facilitated manipulable noun comprehension in an explicit semantic task, suggesting that HMA contributes to manipulable noun comprehension when semantic demands are high. aIPL stimulation facilitated both manipulable noun and action verb processing during an implicit task. We suggest that both HMA and aIPL play a functional role in action semantics. HMA plays a general role in the semantics of actions and manipulable objects, while aIPL is important only when visuo-motor coordination is required for the action.

A checklist for assessing the methodological quality of concurrent tES-fMRI studies (ContES checklist): a consensus study and statement

Low-intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), including alternating or direct current stimulation, applies weak electrical stimulation to modulate the activity of brain circuits. Integration of tES with concurrent functional MRI (fMRI) allows for the mapping of neural activity during neuromodulation, supporting causal studies of both brain function and tES effects. Methodological aspects of tES-fMRI studies underpin the results, and reporting them in appropriate detail is required for reproducibility and interpretability. Despite the growing number of published reports, there are no consensus-based checklists for disclosing methodological details of concurrent tES-fMRI studies. The objective of this work was to develop a consensus-based checklist of reporting standards for concurrent tES-fMRI studies to support methodological rigor, transparency and reproducibility (ContES checklist). A two-phase Delphi consensus process was conducted by a steering committee (SC) of 13 members and 49 expert panelists through the International Network of the tES-fMRI Consortium. The process began with a circulation of a preliminary checklist of essential items and additional recommendations, developed by the SC on the basis of a systematic review of 57 concurrent tES-fMRI studies. Contributors were then invited to suggest revisions or additions to the initial checklist. After the revision phase, contributors rated the importance of the 17 essential items and 42 additional recommendations in the final checklist. The state of methodological transparency within the 57 reviewed concurrent tES-fMRI studies was then assessed by using the checklist. Experts refined the checklist through the revision and rating phases, leading to a checklist with three categories of essential items and additional recommendations: (i) technological factors, (ii) safety and noise tests and (iii) methodological factors. The level of reporting of checklist items varied among the 57 concurrent tES-fMRI papers, ranging from 24% to 76%. On average, 53% of checklist items were reported in a given article. In conclusion, use of the ContES checklist is expected to enhance the methodological reporting quality of future concurrent tES-fMRI studies and increase methodological transparency and reproducibility.

Knowing how to do it or doing it? A double dissociation between tool-gesture production and tool-gesture knowledge

Deciding how to manipulate an object to fulfill a goal requires accessing different types of object-related information. How these different types of information are integrated and represented in the brain is still an open question. Here, we focus on examining two types of object-related information-tool-gesture knowledge (i.e., how to manipulate an object), and tool-gesture production (i.e., the actual manipulation of an object). We show a double dissociation between tool-gesture knowledge and tool-gesture production: Patient FP presents problems in pantomiming tool use in the context of a spared ability to perform judgments about an object's manipulation, whereas Patient LS can pantomime tool use, but is impaired at performing manipulation judgments. Moreover, we compared the location of the lesions in FP and LS with those sustained by two classic ideomotor apraxic patients (IMA), using a cortical thickness approach. Patient FP presented lesions in common with our classic IMA that included the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), and specifically the supramarginal gyrus, the left parietal operculum, the left premotor cortex and the left inferior frontal gyrus, whereas Patient LS and our classic IMA patients presented common lesions in regions of the superior parietal lobule (SPL), motor areas (as primary somatosensory cortex, premotor cortex and primary motor cortex), and frontal areas. Our results show that tool-gesture production and tool-gesture knowledge can be behaviorally and neurally doubly dissociated and put strong constraints on extant theories of action and object recognition and use.

Decoding stimuli (tool-hand) and viewpoint invariant grasp-type information

When we see a manipulable object (henceforth tool) or a hand performing a grasping movement, our brain is automatically tuned to how that tool can be grasped (i.e., its affordance) or what kind of grasp that hand is performing (e.g., a power or precision grasp). However, it remains unclear where visual information related to tools or hands are transformed into abstract grasp representations. We therefore investigated where different levels of abstractness in grasp information are processed: grasp information that is invariant to the kind of stimuli that elicits it (tool-hand invariance); and grasp information that is hand-specific but viewpoint-invariant (viewpoint invariance). We focused on brain areas activated when viewing both tools and hands, i.e., the posterior parietal cortices (PPC), ventral premotor cortices (PMv), and lateral occipitotemporal cortex/posterior middle temporal cortex (LOTC/pMTG). To test for invariant grasp representations, we presented participants with tool images and grasp videos (from first or third person perspective; 1pp or 3pp) inside an MRI scanner, and cross-decoded power versus precision grasps across (i) grasp perspectives (viewpoint invariance), (ii) tool images and grasp 1pp videos (tool-hand 1pp invariance), and (iii) tool images and grasp 3pp videos (tool-hand 3pp invariance). Tool-hand 1pp, but not tool-hand 3pp, invariant grasp information was found in left PPC, whereas viewpoint-invariant information was found bilaterally in PPC, left PMv, and left LOTC/pMTG. These findings suggest different levels of abstractness-where visual information is transformed into stimuli-invariant grasp representations/tool affordances in left PPC, and viewpoint invariant but hand-specific grasp representations in the hand network.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation over the posterior parietal cortex on novice X-ray screening performance

Existing theories of visual search are generally deduced from lab-based studies involving the identification of a target object among similar distractors. The role of the right parietal cortex in visual search is well-established. However, less is known about real-world visual search tasks, such as X-ray screening, which require targets to be disembedded from their background. Research has shown variations in the cognitive abilities required for these tasks and typical lab-based visual search tasks. Thus, the findings of traditional visual search studies do not always transfer into the applied domain. Although brain imaging studies have offered insights into visual search tasks involving disembedding, highlighting an association between the left parietal cortex and disembedding performance, no causal link has yet been established. To this end, we carried out a pilot study (n = 34, between-subjects) administering non-invasive brain stimulation over the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) prior to completing a security X-ray screening task. The findings suggested that anodal left PPC tDCS enhanced novice performance in X-ray screening over that of sham stimulation, in line with brain imaging findings. However, the efficacy of tDCS is under question, with a growing number of failed replications. With this in mind, this study aims to re-test our original hypothesis by examining the effects of left-side parietal stimulation on novice X-ray screener performance and comparing them to those of sham stimulation and of stimulation on a control site (right PPC). As such, this within-subjects study comprised three sessions (2 mA left PPC, 2 mA right PPC, low-intensity sham stimulation left PPC), to investigate effects of anodal tDCS on X-ray screening performance. The pre-registered analysis did not detect any significant differences between left PPC tDCS and sham tDCS or left PPC tDCS and right PPC tDCS on novice performance (d') in X-ray screening. Further exploratory analyses detected no effects of left PPC tDCS on any other indices of performance in the X-ray security screening task (c, RTs and accuracy), or a disembedding control task (RTs and accuracy). The use of alternative stimulation techniques, with replicable behavioural effects on the parietal lobe (or a multi-technique approach), and well-powered studies with a systematic variation of stimulation parameters, could help to choose between two possible interpretations: that neither left nor right PPC are causally related to either tasks or that tDCS was ineffective. Finally, low-intensity sham stimulation (.016 mA), previously shown to outperform other sham conditions in between-subjects designs, was found to be ineffective for blinding participants in a within-subjects design. Our findings raise concerns for the current lack of optimal control conditions and add to the growing literature highlighting the need for replication in the field.

Face-Specific Perceptual Distortions Reveal A View- and Orientation-Independent Face Template

The spatial coordinate system in which a stimulus representation is embedded is known as its reference frame. Every visual representation has a reference frame [1], and the visual system uses a variety of reference frames to efficiently code visual information [e.g., 1-5]. The representation of faces in early stages of visual processing depends on retino-centered reference frames, but little is known about the reference frames that code the high-level representations used to make judgements about faces. Here, we focus on a rare and striking disorder of face perception-hemi-prosopometamorphopsia (hemi-PMO)-to investigate these reference frames. After a left splenium lesion, Patient A.D. perceives features on the right side of faces as if they had melted. The same features were distorted when faces were presented in either visual field, at different in-depth rotations, and at different picture-plane orientations including upside-down. A.D.'s results indicate faces are aligned to a view- and orientation-independent face template encoded in a face-centered reference frame, that these face-centered representations are present in both the left and right hemisphere, and that the representations of the left and right halves of a face are dissociable.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Alters Functional Network Structure in Humans: A Graph Theoretical Analysis

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is routinely used in basic and clinical research, but its efficacy has been challenged on a methodological, statistical and technical basis recently. The arguments against tDCS derive from an insufficient understanding of how this technique interacts with brain processes physiologically. Because of its potential as a central tool in neuroscience, it is important to clarify whether tDCS affects neuronal activity. Here, we investigate influences of offline tDCS on network architecture measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Applied to one network node only, offline tDCS affects the architecture of the entire functional network. Furthermore, offline tDCS exerts polarity-specific effects on the topology of the functional network attached. Our results confirm in a functioning brain and in a bias free and independent fashion that offline tDCS influences neuronal activity. Moreover, our results suggest that network-specific connectivity has an important role in improving our understanding of the effects of tDCS.

The effect of cathodal tDCS on fear extinction: A cross-measures study

BACKGROUND

Extinction-based procedures are often used to inhibit maladaptive fear responses. However, because extinction procedures show efficacy limitations, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been suggested as a promising add-on enhancer.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we tested how cathodal tDCS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex affects extinction and tried to unveil the processes at play that boost the effectiveness of extinction procedures and its translational potential to the treatment of anxiety disorders.

METHODS

We implemented a fear conditioning paradigm whereby 41 healthy women (mean age = 20.51 ± 5.0) were assigned to either cathodal tDCS (n = 27) or sham tDCS (n = 16). Fear responses were measured with self-reports, autonomic responses, and implicit avoidance tendencies.

RESULTS

Cathodal tDCS shows no statistically significant effect in extinction, according to self-reports, and seems to even negatively affect fear conditioned skin conductance responses. However, one to three months after the tDCS session and extinction, we found a group difference in the action tendencies towards the neutral stimuli (F (1, 41) = 12.04, p = .001, ηp2 = .227), with the cathodal tDCS group (as opposed to the sham group) showing a safety learning (a positive bias towards the CS-), with a moderate effect size. This suggests that cathodal tDCS may foster stimuli discrimination, leading to a decreased generalization effect.

DISCUSSION

Cathodal tDCS may have enhanced long-term distinctiveness between threatening cues and perceptively similar neutral cues through a disambiguation process of the value of the neutral stimuli-a therapeutic target in anxiety disorders. Future studies should confirm these results and extend the study of cathodal tDCS effect on short term avoidance tendencies.

Action at a distance on object-related ventral temporal representations

The representation of objects in ventral temporal cortex is relatively resilient to transformations in the stimuli. There is emerging recognition that ventral temporal object representations are forged via interactions among a broader network of regions that receive independent inputs about a stimulus. Here we test whether ventral temporal representations are causally modulated by disrupting processing in distal associative areas. We used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to stimulate left parietal areas and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to measure object-related neural responses in the ventral stream. We find that representational geometries and category discriminability within ventral temporal cortex, as well as functional connectivity between ventral temporal and parietal areas, are enhanced by anodal compared to cathodal stimulation of left parietal associative cortex. These results demonstrate that ventral temporal representations can be causally modulated by processing distal to the ventral stream.

Treating auditory hallucinations with transcranial direct current stimulation in a double-blind, randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could be a treatment option for medication-resistant auditory hallucinations (AH), but so far results have been inconclusive, and large sample trials have been missing. This study used tDCS as a treatment method for these hallucinations in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a relatively large sample size.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients of several diagnostic categories with medication-resistant AH were randomized and treated during 10 sessions of 20 min each, with either 2 mA tDCS or placebo, administered on five consecutive days (i.e., two sessions per day). Anodal stimulation was targeted at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cathodal stimulation at the left temporoparietal junction. AH severity was assessed using the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS). Other outcome measures were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Stroop, and the Trail Making Test.

RESULTS

AH frequency and severity decreased significantly over time, as did the scores on the total and general subscales of the PANSS. However, there was no significant interaction effect with the treatment group on any of the main outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence that tDCS is more effective for medication-resistant AH than placebo, even though AH frequency and severity decreased in both groups. An alternative strategy may be to offer tDCS at an earlier stage of illness. In the light of recent investigations into the neurophysiological mechanisms behind tDCS, we may also have to consider the possibility that tDCS is not able to induce any long-lasting brain changes.

Cognitive Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Healthy and Clinical Populations: An Overview

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory approach that is affordable, safe, and well tolerated. This review article summarizes the research and clinically relevant findings from meta-analyses and studies investigating the cognitive effects of tDCS in healthy and clinical populations. We recapitulate findings from recent studies where cognitive performance paired with tDCS was compared with performance under placebo (sham stimulation) in single sessions and longitudinal designs where cognitive effects were evaluated following repeated sessions. In summary, the tDCS literature currently indicates that the effects of tDCS on cognitive measures are less robust and less predictable compared with the more consistent effects on motor outcomes. There is also a notable difference in the consistency of single-session and longitudinal designs. In single-session tDCS designs, there are small effects amid high variability confounded by individual differences and potential sham stimulation effects. In contrast, longitudinal studies provide more consistent benefits in healthy and clinical populations, particularly when tDCS is paired with a concurrent task. Yet, these studies are few in number, thereby impeding design optimization. While there is good evidence that tDCS can modulate cognitive functioning and potentially produce longer-term benefits, a major challenge to widespread translation of tDCS is the absence of a complete mechanistic account for observed effects. Significant future work is needed to identify a priori responders from nonresponders for every cognitive task and tDCS protocol.

Visual and visuomotor processing of hands and tools as a case study of cross talk between the dorsal and ventral streams

A major principle of organization of the visual system is between a dorsal stream that processes visuomotor information and a ventral stream that supports object recognition. Most research has focused on dissociating processing across these two streams. Here we focus on how the two streams interact. We tested neurologically-intact and impaired participants in an object categorization task over two classes of objects that depend on processing within both streams-hands and tools. We measured how unconscious processing of images from one of these categories (e.g., tools) affects the recognition of images from the other category (i.e., hands). Our findings with neurologically-intact participants demonstrated that processing an image of a hand hampers the subsequent processing of an image of a tool, and vice versa. These results were not present in apraxic patients (N = 3). These findings suggest local and global inhibitory processes working in tandem to co-register information across the two streams.