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Bao Z, Burhan A, Frewen P. Transcranial direct current stimulation over medial prefrontal cortex reduced alpha power and functional connectivity during somatic but not semantic self-referential processing. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00279-3. [PMID: 38944148 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.06.022] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Past self-report and cognitive-behavioural studies of the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) on semantic self-referential processing (SRP) have yielded mixed results. Meanwhile, electroencephalography (EEG) studies show that alpha oscillation (8-12 Hz) may be involved during both semantic and somatic SRP, although the effect of tDCS on alpha-EEG during SRP remains unknown. The current study assessed the EEG and subjective effects of 2mA tDCS over the mPFC while participants were SRP either on semantic (life roles, e.g., "friend") or somatic (outer body, e.g., "arms") self-referential stimuli compared to resting state and an external attention memory task in 52 young adults. Results showed that whereas mPFC-tDCS did not yield significant changes in participants' mood or experienced attention or pleasantness levels during the SRP task, EEG source analysis indicated, compared to sham stimulation, that tDCS reduced alpha power during somatic but not semantic SRP in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and the frontal, parietal, temporal, and somatosensory cortex, and reduced the functional connectivity between the left inferior parietal lobule and the ventral PCC, but only when mPFC-tDCS was applied at the second while not the first experimental session. Our results suggest that while mPFC-tDCS may be insufficient to alter immediate subjective experience during SRP, mPFC-tDCS may modulate the power and functional connectivity of the brain's alpha oscillations during somatic SRP. Future research directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjie Bao
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Amer Burhan
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Frewen
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON, Canada.
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2
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Ryom KI, Basu A, Stendardi D, Ciaramelli E, Treves A. Taking time to compose thoughts with prefrontal schemata. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:1101-1114. [PMID: 38483564 PMCID: PMC11078815 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06785-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Under what conditions can prefrontal cortex direct the composition of brain states, to generate coherent streams of thoughts? Using a simplified Potts model of cortical dynamics, crudely differentiated into two halves, we show that once activity levels are regulated, so as to disambiguate a single temporal sequence, whether the contents of the sequence are mainly determined by the frontal or by the posterior half, or by neither, depends on statistical parameters that describe its microcircuits. The frontal cortex tends to lead if it has more local attractors, longer lasting and stronger ones, in order of increasing importance. Its guidance is particularly effective to the extent that posterior cortices do not tend to transition from state to state on their own. The result may be related to prefrontal cortex enforcing its temporally-oriented schemata driving coherent sequences of brain states, unlike the atemporal "context" contributed by the hippocampus. Modelling a mild prefrontal (vs. posterior) lesion offers an account of mind-wandering and event construction deficits observed in prefrontal patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang Il Ryom
- SISSA - Cognitive Neuroscience, via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Anindita Basu
- SISSA - Cognitive Neuroscience, via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Debora Stendardi
- Dip. Psicologia Renzo Canestrari, Univ. Bologna, Viale C. Berti-Pichat 5, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Ciaramelli
- Dip. Psicologia Renzo Canestrari, Univ. Bologna, Viale C. Berti-Pichat 5, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Treves
- SISSA - Cognitive Neuroscience, via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy.
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3
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Chen H, Mirg S, Gaddale P, Agrawal S, Li M, Nguyen V, Xu T, Li Q, Liu J, Tu W, Liu X, Drew PJ, Zhang N, Gluckman BJ, Kothapalli SR. Dissecting Multiparametric Cerebral Hemodynamics using Integrated Ultrafast Ultrasound and Multispectral Photoacoustic Imaging. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.07.566048. [PMID: 37986863 PMCID: PMC10659547 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding brain-wide hemodynamic responses to different stimuli at high spatiotemporal resolutions can help study neuro-disorders and brain functions. However, the existing brain imaging technologies have limited resolution, sensitivity, imaging depth and provide information about only one or two hemodynamic parameters. To address this, we propose a multimodal functional ultrasound and photoacoustic (fUSPA) imaging platform, which integrates ultrafast ultrasound and multispectral photoacoustic imaging methods in a compact head-mountable device, to quantitatively map cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen saturation (SO2) dynamics as well as contrast agent enhanced brain imaging with high spatiotemporal resolutions. After systematic characterization, the fUSPA system was applied to quantitatively study the changes in brain hemodynamics and vascular reactivity at single vessel resolution in response to hypercapnia stimulation. Our results show an overall increase in brain-wide CBV, CBF, and SO2, but regional differences in singular cortical veins and arteries and a reproducible anti-correlation pattern between venous and cortical hemodynamics, demonstrating the capabilities of the fUSPA system for providing multiparametric cerebrovascular information at high-resolution and sensitivity, that can bring insights into the complex mechanisms of neurodiseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Neural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Shubham Mirg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Neural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Prameth Gaddale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sumit Agrawal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Menghan Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Van Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Tianbao Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Qiong Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jinyun Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Wenyu Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Patrick J. Drew
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Neural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Nanyin Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Neural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Bruce J. Gluckman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Neural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sri-Rajasekhar Kothapalli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Neural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Graduate Program in Acoustics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Kucyi A, Kam JWY, Andrews-Hanna JR, Christoff K, Whitfield-Gabrieli S. Recent advances in the neuroscience of spontaneous and off-task thought: implications for mental health. NATURE MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 1:827-840. [PMID: 37974566 PMCID: PMC10653280 DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00133-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
People spend a remarkable 30-50% of awake life thinking about something other than what they are currently doing. These experiences of being "off-task" can be described as spontaneous thought when mental dynamics are relatively flexible. Here we review recent neuroscience developments in this area and consider implications for mental wellbeing and illness. We provide updated overviews of the roles of the default mode network and large-scale network dynamics, and we discuss emerging candidate mechanisms involving hippocampal memory (sharp-wave ripples, replay) and neuromodulatory (noradrenergic and serotonergic) systems. We explore how distinct brain states can be associated with or give rise to adaptive and maladaptive forms of thought linked to distinguishable mental health outcomes. We conclude by outlining new directions in the neuroscience of spontaneous and off-task thought that may clarify mechanisms, lead to personalized biomarkers, and facilitate therapy developments toward the goals of better understanding and improving mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Kucyi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University
| | - Julia W. Y. Kam
- Department of Psychology and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
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Giacometti Giordani L, Crisafulli A, Cantarella G, Avenanti A, Ciaramelli E. The role of posterior parietal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex in distraction and mind-wandering. Neuropsychologia 2023; 188:108639. [PMID: 37422183 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Distraction reflects a drift of attention away from the task at hand towards task-irrelevant external or internal information (mind-wandering). The right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are known to mediate attention to external information and mind-wandering, respectively, but it is not clear whether they support each process selectively or rather they play similar roles in supporting both. In this study, participants performed a visual search task including salient color singleton distractors before and after receiving cathodal (inhibitory) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the right PPC, the mPFC, or sham tDCS. Thought probes assessed the intensity and contents of mind-wandering during visual search. The results show that tDCS to the right PPC but not mPFC reduced the attentional capture by the singleton distractor during visual search. tDCS to both mPFC and PPC reduced mind-wandering, but only tDCS to the mPFC specifically reduced future-oriented mind-wandering. These results suggest that the right PPC and mPFC play a different role in directing attention towards task-irrelevant information. The PPC is involved in both external and internal distraction, possibly by mediating the disengagement of attention from the current task and its reorienting to salient information, be this a percept or a mental content (mind-wandering). By contrast, the mPFC uniquely supports mind-wandering, possibly by mediating the endogenous generation of future-oriented thoughts capable to draw attention inward, away from ongoing activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Crisafulli
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Cesena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cantarella
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Cesena, Italy; Department of Psychology 'Renzo Canestrari', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Cesena, Italy; Department of Psychology 'Renzo Canestrari', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Ciaramelli
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Cesena, Italy; Department of Psychology 'Renzo Canestrari', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Nejati V, Zamiran B, Nitsche MA. The Interaction of the Dorsolateral and Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex During Mind Wandering. Brain Topogr 2023:10.1007/s10548-023-00970-z. [PMID: 37202646 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-023-00970-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mind wandering refers to spontaneously occurring, often disruptive thoughts during an ongoing task or resting state. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) are two main cortical areas which are involved in this process. This study aimed to explore the interaction of these areas during mind wandering by enhancing specific oscillatory activity of these areas via transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in the theta frequency range. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighteen healthy adults participated in a randomized, single-blinded, crossover study. tACS (1.5 mA, 6 Hz) was applied in five sessions with one week interval via (1) two channels with synchronized stimulation over the left dlPFC and right vmPFC, (2) the same electrode placement with anti-phase stimulation, (3) stimulation over the left dlPFC only, (4) stimulation over right vmPFC only, and (5) sham stimulation. The return electrodes were placed over the contralateral shoulder in all conditions. The sustained attention to response task (SART) with embedded probes about task-unrelated-thoughts and awareness of these thoughts was performed during intervention. RESULTS Stimulation did not alter SART performance. Right vmPFC stimulation decreased mind wandering and increased awareness of mind wandering. Left dlPFC stimulation and desynchronized stimulation over the dlPFC and vmPFC increased mind wandering compared to the sham stimulation condition. Synchronized stimulation had no effect on mind wandering, but increased awareness of mind wandering. CONCLUSION The results suggest that regional entrainment of the vmPFC decreases mind wandering and increases awareness of mind wandering, whereas regional entrainment of the dlPFC increases mind wandering, but decreases awareness. Under desynchronized stimulation of both areas, the propensity of mind wandering was increased, whereas synchronized stimulation increased the awareness of mind wandering. These results suggest a role of the dlPFC in initiation of mind wandering, whereas the vmPFC downregulates mind wandering, and might exert this function by counteracting respective dlPFC effects via theta oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Nejati
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bahar Zamiran
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
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Martínez-Pérez V, Andreu A, Sandoval-Lentisco A, Tortajada M, Palmero LB, Castillo A, Campoy G, Fuentes LJ. Vigilance decrement and mind-wandering in sustained attention tasks: Two sides of the same coin? Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1122406. [PMID: 37056308 PMCID: PMC10086236 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1122406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDecrements in performance and the propensity for increased mind-wandering (i.e., task-unrelated thoughts) across time-on-task are two pervasive phenomena observed when people perform vigilance tasks. In the present study, we asked whether processes that lead to vigilance decrement and processes that foster the propensity for mind-wandering (MW) can be dissociated or whether they share a common mechanism. In one experiment, we introduced two critical manipulations: increasing task demands and applying anodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.MethodSeventy-eight participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups resulting from the factorial combination of task demand (low, high) and stimulation (anodal, sham). Participants completed the sustained attention to response task (SART), which included thought probes on intentional and unintentional MW. In addition, we investigated the crucial role of alpha oscillations in a novel approach. By assessing pre-post resting EEG, we explored whether participants’ variability in baseline alpha power predicted performance in MW and vigilance decrement related to tDCS or task demands, respectively, and whether such variability was a stable characteristic of participants.ResultsOur results showed a double dissociation, such that task demands exclusively affected vigilance decrement, while anodal tDCS exclusively affected the rate of MW. Furthermore, the slope of the vigilance decrement function and MW rate (overall, intentional and unintentional) did not correlate. Critically, resting state alpha-band activity predicted tDCS-related gains in unintentional MW alone, but not in vigilance decrement, and remained stable after participants completed the task.ConclusionThese results show that when a sustained attention task involving executive vigilance, such as the SART, is designed to elicit both vigilance decrement effects and MW, the processes leading to vigilance decrement should be differentiated from those responsible for MW, a claim that is supported by the double dissociation observed here and the lack of correlation between the measures chosen to assess both phenomena. Furthermore, the results provide the first evidence of how individual differences in alpha power at baseline may be of crucial importance in predicting the effects of tDCS on MW propensity.
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8
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Nawani H, Mittner M, Csifcsák G. Modulation of mind wandering using transcranial direct current stimulation: A meta-analysis based on electric field modeling. Neuroimage 2023; 272:120051. [PMID: 36965860 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120051] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mind wandering (MW) is a heterogeneous construct involving task-unrelated thoughts. Recently, the interest in modulating MW propensity via non-invasive brain stimulation techniques has increased. Single-session transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in healthy controls has led to mixed results in modulating MW propensity, possibly due to methodological heterogeneity. Therefore, our aim was to conduct a systematic meta-analysis to examine the influence of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) and right inferior parietal lobule (rIPL) targeted tDCS on MW propensity. Importantly, by computational modeling of tDCS-induced electric fields, we accounted for differences in tDCS-dose across studies that varied strongly in their applied methodology. Fifteen single-session, sham-controlled tDCS studies published until October 2021 were included. All studies involved healthy adult participants and used cognitive tasks combined with MW thought-probes. Heterogeneity in tDCS electrode placement, stimulation polarity and intensity were controlled for by means of electric field simulations, while overall methodological quality was assessed via an extended risk of bias (RoB) assessment. We found that RoB was the strongest predictor of study outcomes. Moreover, the rIPL was the most promising cortical area for influencing MW, with stronger anodal electric fields in this region being negatively associated with MW propensity. Electric field strength in the lDLPFC was not related to MW propensity. We identified several severe methodological problems that could have contributed to overestimated effect sizes in this literature, an issue that needs urgent attention in future research in this area. Overall, there is no reliable evidence for tDCS influencing MW in the healthy. However, the analysis also revealed that increasing neural excitability in the rIPL via tDCS might be associated with reduced MW propensity. In an exploratory approach, we also found some indication that targeting prefrontal regions outside the lDLPFC with tDCS could lead to increased MW propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hema Nawani
- Institute for Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
| | | | - Gábor Csifcsák
- Institute for Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
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Coulborn S, Fernández-Espejo D. Prefrontal tDCS is unable to modulate mind wandering propensity or underlying functional or effective brain connectivity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18021. [PMID: 36289366 PMCID: PMC9606118 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22893-8] [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: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There is conflicting evidence over the ability to modulate mind-wandering propensity with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (prefrontal tDCS). Here, 20 participants received 20-min of active and sham prefrontal tDCS while in the MRI scanner, in two separate sessions (counterbalanced). In each session, they completed two runs of a sustained attention to response task (before and during tDCS), which included probes recording subjective responses of mind-wandering. We assessed the effects of tDCS on behavioural responses as well as functional and effective dynamics, via dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) and dynamic causal modelling analyses over regions of the default mode, salience and executive control networks. Behavioural results provided substantial evidence in support of no effect of tDCS on task performance nor mind-wandering propensity. Similarly, we found no effect of tDCS on frequency (how often) or dwell time (time spent) of underlying brain states nor effective connectivity. Overall, our results suggest that prefrontal tDCS is unable to modulate mind-wandering propensity or influence underlying brain function. This expands previous behavioural replication failures in suggesting that prefrontal tDCS may not lead to even subtle (i.e., under a behavioural threshold) changes in brain activity during self-generated cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Coulborn
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK ,grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Davinia Fernández-Espejo
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK ,grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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10
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Bhattacharjee S, Kashyap R, Goodwill AM, O’Brien BA, Rapp B, Oishi K, Desmond JE, Chen SHA. Sex difference in tDCS current mediated by changes in cortical anatomy: A study across young, middle and older adults. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:125-140. [PMID: 34826627 PMCID: PMC9041842 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The observed variability in the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is influenced by the amount of current reaching the targeted region-of-interest (ROI). Age and sex might affect current density at target ROI due to their impact on cortical anatomy. The present tDCS simulation study investigates the effects of cortical anatomical parameters (volumes, dimension, and torque) on simulated tDCS current density in healthy young, middle-aged, and older males and females. METHODOLOGY Individualized head models from 240 subjects (120 males, 18-87 years of age) were used to identify the estimated current density (2 mA current intensity, 25 cm2 electrode) from two simulated tDCS montages (CP5_CZ and F3_FP2) targeting the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and middle frontal gyrus (MFG), respectively. Cortical parameters including segmented brain volumes (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF], grey and white matter), cerebral-dimensions (length/width &length/height) and brain-torque (front and back shift, petalia, and bending) were measured using the magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from each subject. The present study estimated sex differences in current density at these target ROIs mediated by these cortical parameters within each age group. RESULTS For both tDCS montages, females in the older age group received higher current density than their male counterparts at the target ROIs. No sex differences were observed in the middle-aged group. Males in the younger age group had a higher current density than females, only for the parietal montage. Across all age groups, CSF, and grey matter volumes significantly predicted the current intensity estimated at the target sites. In the older age group only, brain-torque was a significant mediator of the sex difference. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate the presence of sex differences in the simulated tDCS current density, however this pattern differed across age groups and stimulation locations. Future studies should consider influence of age and sex on individual cortical anatomy and tailor tDCS stimulation parameters accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagarika Bhattacharjee
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore,,Corresponding authors: Sagarika Bhattacharjee,
Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, Arts, & Social
Sciences, 48 Nanyang Ave, Singapore (639818).
or Prof SH Annabel Chen Psychology, School of
Social Sciences, College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, 48 Nanyang
Ave, Singapore (639818).
| | - Rajan Kashyap
- Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE),
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Alicia M. Goodwill
- Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE),
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore,Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group,
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Beth Ann O’Brien
- Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD), National
Institute of Education, Singapore
| | - Brenda Rapp
- The Johns Hopkins University, Krieger School of Arts and
Sciences, Baltimore, United States
| | - Kenichi Oishi
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore,
United States
| | - John E. Desmond
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore,
United States
| | - SH Annabel Chen
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore,,Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE),
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC Medicine), Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore,Corresponding authors: Sagarika Bhattacharjee,
Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, Arts, & Social
Sciences, 48 Nanyang Ave, Singapore (639818).
or Prof SH Annabel Chen Psychology, School of
Social Sciences, College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, 48 Nanyang
Ave, Singapore (639818).
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Viol A, Treves A, Ciaramelli E. Navigating through the ebbs and flows of language. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 70:130-136. [PMID: 34801786 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Is progress in understanding the neural basis for spatial navigation relevant to the human language faculty? Not so much at the shortest scale, where movement is continuous, a recent study in the space of vowels suggests. At a much larger scale, however, that of the verbalization of run-away thoughts, a rich phenomenology appears to involve critical contributions by some of the brain structures also involved in spatial cognition. Their interactions may have to be approached with models operating at an integrated cortical level and allowing for the compositionality of multiple local attractor states. A useful window on the latching dynamics enabled by cortico-cortical interactions may be offered by altered states of consciousness. As an example, psychedelic states have been reported to alter the graph properties of functional connectivity in the cortex so as to facilitate wide-ranging trips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Viol
- SISSA - Cognitive Neuroscience, Via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Treves
- SISSA - Cognitive Neuroscience, Via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Elisa Ciaramelli
- Dip. di Psicologia, Università di Bologna, Viale Berti-Pichat 5, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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The Time Varying Networks of the Interoceptive Attention and Rest. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0341-20.2021. [PMID: 33975858 PMCID: PMC8174797 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0341-20.2021] [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: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Focused attention to spontaneous sensations is a dynamic process that demands interoceptive abilities. Failure to control it has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders like illness-anxiety disorder. Regulatory strategies, such as focused attention meditation (FAM), may enhance the ability to control focused attention particularly to body sensations, which can be reflected on functional neuroanatomy. The functional connectivity (FC) related to focused attention has been described, however, the dynamic brain organization associated to this process and the differences to the resting state remains to be studied. To quantify the cerebral dynamic counterpart of focused attention to interoception, we examined fifteen experienced meditators while performing a 20-min attentional task to spontaneous sensations. Subjects underwent three scanning sessions obtaining a resting-state scan before and after the task. Sliding window dynamic FC (DFC) and k-means clustering identified five recurrent FC patterns along the dorsal attention network (DAN), default mode network (DMN), and frontoparietal network (FPN). Subjects remained longer in a low connectivity brain pattern during the resting conditions. By contrast, subjects spent a higher proportion of time in complex patterns during the task than rest. Moreover, a carry-over effect in FC was observed following the interoceptive task performance, suggestive of an active role in the learning process linked to cognitive training. Our results suggest that focused attention to interoceptive processes, demands a dynamic brain organization with specific features that distinguishes it from the resting condition. This approach may provide new insights characterizing the neural basis of the focused attention, an essential component for human adaptability.
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Kruger TB, Dixon MJ, Graydon C, Larche CJ, Stange M, Smith SD, Smilek D. Contrasting Mind-Wandering, (Dark) Flow, and Affect During Multiline and Single-Line Slot Machine Play. J Gambl Stud 2021; 38:185-203. [PMID: 33956272 PMCID: PMC8866259 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-021-10027-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Slot machines are a very popular form of gambling in which a small proportion of gamblers experience gambling-related problems. These players refer to a trance-like state that researchers have labelled ‘dark flow’—a pleasurable, but maladaptive state where players become completely occupied by the game. We assessed 110 gamblers for mindfulness (using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale), gambling problems (using the Problem Gambling Severity Index), depressive symptoms (using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale), and boredom proneness (using the Boredom Proneness Scale). Participants played both a multiline and single-line slot machine simulator and were occasionally interrupted with thought probes to assess whether they were thinking about the game or something else. After playing each game, we retrospectively assessed dark flow and affect during play. Our key results were that the number of “on-game” reports during the multiline game were significantly higher than the single-line game, and that we found significantly greater flow during the multiline game than the single-line game. We also found significantly lower negative affect during the multiline game than the single-line game. Using hierarchical multiple regression, we found that dark flow accounted for unique variance when predicting problem gambling severity (over and above depression, mindfulness, and boredom proneness). These assessments help bolster our previous assertions about escape gambling—if some players are prone to having their mind-wander to negative places, the frequent but unpredictable reinforcement of multiline slot machines may help rein in the wandering mind and prevent minds from unintentionally wandering to negative thoughts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B Kruger
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. .,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Mike J Dixon
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Candice Graydon
- Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Chanel J Larche
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Madison Stange
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Stephen D Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Daniel Smilek
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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14
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Webb CA, Israel ES, Belleau E, Appleman L, Forbes EE, Pizzagalli DA. Mind-Wandering in Adolescents Predicts Worse Affect and Is Linked to Aberrant Default Mode Network-Salience Network Connectivity. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 60:377-387. [PMID: 32553785 PMCID: PMC7736484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Understanding the fluctuating emotional and cognitive states of adolescents with depressive symptoms requires fine-grained and naturalistic measurements. This study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to investigate the affective correlates and consequences of mind-wandering in adolescents with anhedonia (AH) and typically developing (TD) controls. In addition, we examined the association between mind-wandering and resting state functional connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a core hub of the default mode network (DMN) linked to internally oriented mentation, and networks linked to attentional control (dorsal attention network [DAN]) and affect/salience detection (salience network [SN]). METHOD A total of 65 adolescents, aged 12 to 18 years (TD = 36; AH = 29), completed a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan and subsequently used a smartphone application for ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data collection (2-3 times/d for 5 days). Each survey (N = 678) prompted adolescents to report on their current positive and negative affect (PA and NA), cognition, and activity. RESULTS The frequency of mind-wandering was higher for AH (70.0% of EMA samples) relative to TD (59.2%) participants, and the participants with AH were more likely to mind-wander to unpleasant content. Mind-wandering was associated with higher concurrent NA, even when controlling for plausible confounds (eg, current activity, social companion, rumination). Time-lagged analyses revealed a bidirectional association between mind-wandering and PA. Greater levels of mind-wandering within the AH group were associated with stronger mPFC-SN/DAN connectivity. CONCLUSION Rates of mind-wandering were high, especially among adolescents with anhedonia, and predicted worse affect. The relation between mind-wandering and enhanced mPFC-SN coupling may reflect heightened bottom-up influence of affective and sensory salience on DMN-mediated internally oriented thought.
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15
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Philippi CL, Bruss J, Boes AD, Albazron FM, Streese CD, Ciaramelli E, Rudrauf D, Tranel D. Lesion network mapping demonstrates that mind-wandering is associated with the default mode network. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:361-373. [PMID: 32594566 PMCID: PMC7704688 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Functional neuroimaging research has consistently associated brain structures within the default mode network (DMN) and frontoparietal network (FPN) with mind-wandering. Targeted lesion research has documented impairments in mind-wandering after damage to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampal regions associated with the DMN. However, no lesion studies to date have applied lesion network mapping to identify common networks associated with deficits in mind-wandering. In lesion network mapping, resting-state functional connectivity data from healthy participants are used to infer which brain regions are functionally connected to each lesion location from a sample with brain injury. In the current study, we conducted a lesion network mapping analysis to test the hypothesis that lesions affecting the DMN and FPN would be associated with diminished mind-wandering. We assessed mind-wandering frequency on the Imaginal Processes Inventory (IPI) in participants with brain injury (n = 29) and healthy comparison participants without brain injury (n = 19). Lesion network mapping analyses showed the strongest association of reduced mind-wandering with the left inferior parietal lobule within the DMN. In addition, traditional lesion symptom mapping results revealed that reduced mind-wandering was associated with lesions of the dorsal, ventral, and anterior sectors of mPFC, parietal lobule, and inferior frontal gyrus in the DMN (p < 0.05 uncorrected). These findings provide novel lesion support for the role of the DMN in mind-wandering and contribute to a burgeoning literature on the neural correlates of spontaneous cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carissa L. Philippi
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joel Bruss
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Aaron D. Boes
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Fatimah M. Albazron
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Elisa Ciaramelli
- Department of Psychology and Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - David Rudrauf
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Tranel
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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16
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Bhattacharjee S, Kashyap R, O'Brien BA, McCloskey M, Oishi K, Desmond JE, Rapp B, Chen SHA. Reading proficiency influences the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation: Evidence from selective modulation of dorsal and ventral pathways of reading in bilinguals. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2020; 210:104850. [PMID: 32890855 PMCID: PMC8103814 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2020.104850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION tDCS can modulate reading which is processed by lexical (ventral) and sub-lexical (dorsal) pathways. Previous research indicates that pathway recruitment in bilinguals depends on a script's orthographic depth and a reader's proficiency with it. The effect of tDCS on each reading pathway has not been investigated in bilinguals. We stimulated the left dorsal and ventral pathways separately in Chinese-English (C-E) bilinguals to understand whether pathway-specific modulation by tDCS is possible and, if so, how it is influenced by orthographic depth and script proficiency. METHODS A double-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject experiment was designed wherein 16 balanced bilinguals received anodal tDCS in dorsal, ventral and sham sessions. Two tDCS montages of electrode sizes 5 × 5 cm2 with 1) anode at CP5 and cathode at CZ, and 2) anode at TP7 and cathode at nape of the neck, were applied for stimulating the dorsal and ventral pathways respectively. Bilinguals were asked to read word lists for each language before and after stimulation. RTs for accurate trials were analysed using linear mixed-effect modelling that included proficiency scores for reading English pseudo-words (PW) and Chinese pinyin. RESULTS For both languages, word reading RTs were faster following dorsal pathway stimulation. The dorsal stimulation effect (change in RT) was negatively correlated with pseudoword reading and pinyin proficiency. Stimulation of the ventral pathway decreased RTs only for Chinese reading. CONCLUSION Dorsal and ventral reading pathways can be selectively modulated by tDCS in bilingual readers with dorsal (sub-lexical) pathway stimulation affecting reading in both scripts and ventral (lexical) pathway stimulation selectively affecting Chinese reading. Dorsal pathway tDCS effects are modulated by sub-lexical reading proficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajan Kashyap
- Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE), Singapore
| | - Beth Ann O'Brien
- Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD), National Institute of Education, Singapore
| | - Michael McCloskey
- Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Kenichi Oishi
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - John E Desmond
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Brenda Rapp
- Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States.
| | - S H Annabel Chen
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE), Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC Medicine), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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17
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Kruger TB, Dixon MJ, Graydon C, Stange M, Larche CJ, Smith SD, Smilek D. Using deliberate mind-wandering to escape negative mood states: Implications for gambling to escape. J Behav Addict 2020; 9:723-733. [PMID: 33010146 PMCID: PMC8943661 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2020.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Slot machines are a pervasive form of gambling in North America. Some gamblers describe entering "the slot machine zone"-a complete immersion into slots play to the exclusion of all else. METHODS We assessed 111 gamblers for mindfulness (using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)), gambling problems (using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)), depressive symptoms (using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale), and boredom proneness (using the Boredom Proneness Scale). In a counterbalanced order, participants played a slot machine simulator and completed an auditory vigilance task. During each task, participants were interrupted with thought probes to assess whether they were: on-task, spontaneously mind-wandering, or deliberately mind-wandering. After completing each task, we retrospectively assessed flow and affect. Compared to the more exciting slots play, we propose that gamblers may use deliberate mind-wandering as a maladaptive means to regulate affect during a repetitive vigilance task. RESULTS Our key results were that gamblers reported greater negative affect following the vigilance task (when compared to slots) and greater positive affect following slots play (when compared to the vigilance task). We also found that those who scored higher in problem gambling were more likely to use deliberate mind-wandering as a means to cope with negative affect during the vigilance task. Using hierarchical multiple regression, we found that the number of "deliberately mind-wandering" responses accounted for unique variance when predicting problem gambling severity (over and above depression, mindfulness, and boredom proneness). CONCLUSIONS These assessments highlight a potential coping mechanism used by problem gamblers in order to deal with negative affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B. Kruger
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada,Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Mike J. Dixon
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Candice Graydon
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Madison Stange
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Chanel J. Larche
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada,Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen D. Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Daniel Smilek
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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Coulborn S, Bowman H, Miall RC, Fernández-Espejo D. Effect of tDCS Over the Right Inferior Parietal Lobule on Mind-Wandering Propensity. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:230. [PMID: 32655387 PMCID: PMC7325883 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00230] [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: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mind-wandering is associated with switching our attention to internally directed thoughts and is by definition an intrinsic, self-generated cognitive function. Interestingly, previous research showed that it may be possible to modulate its propensity externally, with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting different regions in the default mode and executive control networks (ECNs). However, these studies used highly heterogeneous montages (targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL), or both concurrently), often showed contradicting results, and in many cases failed to replicate. Our study aimed to establish whether tDCS of the default mode network (DMN), via targeting the right IPL alone, could modulate mind-wandering propensity using a within-subjects double-blind, counterbalanced design. Participants completed sustained attention to response task (SART) interspersed with thought-probes to capture their subjective reports of mind-wandering before and after receiving anodal, cathodal, or sham tDCS over the right IPL (with the reference over the left cheek). We found evidence for the lack of an effect of stimulation on subjective reports of mind-wandering (JZS-BF01 = 5.19), as well as on performance on the SART task (errors (JZS-BF01 = 6.79) and reaction time (JZS-BF01 = 5.94). Overall, we failed to replicate previous reports of successful modulations of mind-wandering propensity with tDCS over the IPL, instead of providing evidence in support of the lack of an effect. This and other recent unsuccessful replications call into question whether it is indeed possible to externally modulate spontaneous or self-generated cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Coulborn
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Howard Bowman
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - R Chris Miall
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Davinia Fernández-Espejo
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Frewen P, Schroeter ML, Riva G, Cipresso P, Fairfield B, Padulo C, Kemp AH, Palaniyappan L, Owolabi M, Kusi-Mensah K, Polyakova M, Fehertoi N, D’Andrea W, Lowe L, Northoff G. Neuroimaging the consciousness of self: Review, and conceptual-methodological framework. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 112:164-212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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20
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Boayue NM, Csifcsák G, Aslaksen P, Turi Z, Antal A, Groot J, Hawkins GE, Forstmann B, Opitz A, Thielscher A, Mittner M. Increasing propensity to mind‐wander by transcranial direct current stimulation? A registered report. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:755-780. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gábor Csifcsák
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Tromsø Tromsø Norway
| | - Per Aslaksen
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Tromsø Tromsø Norway
| | - Zsolt Turi
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyUniversity Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Andrea Antal
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyUniversity Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Josephine Groot
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Tromsø Tromsø Norway
- Integrative Model‐based Cognitive Neuroscience Research UnitUniversity of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Guy E. Hawkins
- School of PsychologyUniversity of Newcastle Newcastle New South Wales Australia
| | - Birte Forstmann
- Integrative Model‐based Cognitive Neuroscience Research UnitUniversity of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Opitz
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Minnesota Minneapolis MN
| | - Axel Thielscher
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic ResonanceCentre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and ResearchCopenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre Denmark
- Department of Electrical EngineeringTechnical University of Denmark Lyngby Denmark
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21
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Cattaneo Z, Ferrari C, Schiavi S, Alekseichuk I, Antal A, Nadal M. Medial prefrontal cortex involvement in aesthetic appreciation of paintings: a tDCS study. Cogn Process 2019; 21:65-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s10339-019-00936-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Transcranial direct current stimulation of default mode network parietal nodes decreases negative mind-wandering about the past. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2019; 44:10-20. [PMID: 33456096 DOI: 10.1007/s10608-019-10044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mind-wandering is a cognitive process in which people spontaneously have thoughts that are unrelated to their current activities. The types of mind-wandering thoughts that people have when affected by a negative mood resemble thoughts associated with mood disorders (e.g., negative thoughts about the past). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of noninvasive brain stimulation that can modulate cognition and affect in healthy and clinical populations. Ninety participants received either excitatory, inhibitory, or sham tDCS to bilateral inferior parietal lobe (IPL) nodes of the default mode network (DMN) to assess changes in maladaptive mind-wandering following criticism. tDCS did not change mind-wandering frequency after hearing criticism, but it did change what people mind-wandered about. Specifically, cathodal stimulation decreased the frequency of negative mind-wandering thoughts about the past. Future studies could investigate tDCS of DMN regions as an intervention for patients with mood disorders who suffer from negative, past-oriented cognitions.
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23
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Chen T, Qin XJ, Cui JF, Li Y, Liu LL, Wang P, Tao SL, Shum DH, Wang Y, Chan RC. Mind wandering in schizophrenia: A thought-sampling study. Conscious Cogn 2019; 74:102774. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2019.102774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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de Dreu MJ, Schouwenaars IT, Rutten GJM, Ramsey NF, Jansma JM. Brain Activity Associated With Expected Task Difficulty. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:286. [PMID: 31555110 PMCID: PMC6724610 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research shows that people can use a cue to mentally prepare for a cognitive challenge. The response to a cue has been defined as phasic alertness which is reflected in faster responses and increased activity in frontal, parietal, thalamic, and visual brain regions. We examine if and how phasic alertness can be tuned to the expected difficulty of an upcoming challenge. If people in general are able to tune their level of alertness, then an inability to tune may be linked to disease. Twenty-two healthy volunteers performed a cued visual perception task with two levels of task difficulty. Performance and brain activity were compared between these two levels. Performance was lower for difficult stimuli than for easy stimuli. For both cue types, participants showed activation in a network associated with central executive function and deactivation in regions of the default mode network (DMN) and visual cortex. Deactivation was significantly stronger for cues signaling difficult stimuli than for cues signaling easy stimuli. This effect was most prominent in medial prefrontal gyrus, visual, and temporal cortices. Activation did not differ between the cues. Our study shows that phasic alertness is represented by activated as well as deactivated brain regions. However only deactivated brain regions tuned their level of activity to the expected task difficulty. These results suggest that people, in general, are able to tune their level of alertness to an upcoming task. Cognition may be facilitated by a brain-state coupled to expectations about an upcoming cognitive challenge. Unique identifier = 8420030041.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miek J de Dreu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Irena T Schouwenaars
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan M Rutten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Nick F Ramsey
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Johan M Jansma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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26
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Filmer HL, Griffin A, Dux PE. For a minute there, I lost myself … dosage dependent increases in mind wandering via prefrontal tDCS. Neuropsychologia 2019; 129:379-384. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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27
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Chaieb L, Derner M, Leszczyński M, Fell J. Modulation of Mind Wandering Using Auditory Beat Stimulation: a Pilot Study. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-019-00137-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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28
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Greeley B, Seidler RD. Differential effects of left and right prefrontal cortex anodal transcranial direct current stimulation during probabilistic sequence learning. J Neurophysiol 2019; 121:1906-1916. [PMID: 30917064 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00795.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Left and right prefrontal cortex and the primary motor cortex (M1) are activated during learning of motor sequences. Previous literature is mixed on whether prefrontal cortex aids or interferes with sequence learning. The present study investigated the roles of prefrontal cortices and M1 in sequence learning. Participants received anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to right or left prefrontal cortex or left M1 during a probabilistic sequence learning task. Relative to sham, the left prefrontal cortex and M1 tDCS groups exhibited enhanced learning evidenced by shorter response times for pattern trials, but only for individuals who did not gain explicit awareness of the sequence (implicit). Right prefrontal cortex stimulation in participants who did not gain explicit sequence awareness resulted in learning disadvantages evidenced by slower overall response times for pattern trials. These findings indicate that stimulation to left prefrontal cortex or M1 can lead to sequence learning benefits under implicit conditions. In contrast, right prefrontal cortex tDCS had negative effects on sequence learning, with overall impaired reaction time for implicit learners. There was no effect of tDCS on accuracy, and thus our reaction time findings cannot be explained by a speed-accuracy tradeoff. Overall, our findings suggest complex and hemisphere-specific roles of left and right prefrontal cortices in sequence learning. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Prefrontal cortices are engaged in motor sequence learning, but the literature is mixed on whether the prefrontal cortices aid or interfere with learning. In the current study, we used anodal transcranial direct current stimulation to target left or right prefrontal cortex or left primary motor cortex while participants performed a probabilistic sequence learning task. We found that left prefrontal and motor cortex stimulation enhanced implicit learning whereas right prefrontal stimulation negatively impacted performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Greeley
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Psychology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Rachael D Seidler
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Psychology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
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Ciaramelli E, Treves A. A Mind Free to Wander: Neural and Computational Constraints on Spontaneous Thought. Front Psychol 2019; 10:39. [PMID: 30728796 PMCID: PMC6351465 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ciaramelli
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Axelrod V, Zhu X, Qiu J. Transcranial stimulation of the frontal lobes increases propensity of mind-wandering without changing meta-awareness. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15975. [PMID: 30374043 PMCID: PMC6206062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34098-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mind-wandering is omnipresent in our lives. The benefits of mind-wandering are not yet clear, but given how much time we spend mind-wandering, this mental function is likely to be important. Accordingly, it is essential to understand the neural and cognitive mechanisms of mind-wandering. In a recent study by the leading author of the present paper it was demonstrated that by applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the frontal lobes, but not sham or occipital cortex stimulation, it was possible to increase propensity of mind-wandering. The goal of the present study has been to replicate these previous findings and to extend them by examining whether changes in mind-wandering as a result of stimulation are associated with a change of meta-awareness of the attentional focus. By using a larger sample size and by conducting the experiment in a different country and language, we fully replicated the key original findings by showing that stimulation of the prefrontal cortex increased the level of mind-wandering. We also show that stimulation had no major effect on the level of meta-awareness of the attentional focus. Taken together, our results indicate that mind-wandering - probably the most internal and self-related mental function - can be modulated externally, that at least in some cases mind-wandering might not be regulated by meta-awareness, and that the frontal lobes might play a causal role in mind-wandering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Axelrod
- The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel.
| | - Xingxing Zhu
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jiang Qiu
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Ulrich M, Niemann J, Boland M, Kammer T, Niemann F, Grön G. The neural correlates of flow experience explored with transcranial direct current stimulation. Exp Brain Res 2018; 236:3223-3237. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5378-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Lucchiari C, Sala PM, Vanutelli ME. Promoting Creativity Through Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). A Critical Review. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:167. [PMID: 30116184 PMCID: PMC6082949 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Creativity, meant as the ability to produce novel, original and suitable ideas, has received increased attention by research in the last years, especially from neuroaesthetics and social neuroscience. Besides the research conducted on the neural correlates of such capacities, previous work tried to answer the question of whether it is possible to enhance creativity through cognitive and neural stimulation. In particular, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been applied to increase neuronal excitability in those areas related to creativity. However, being a complex construct that applies to a huge variety of situations, available results are often confusing and inconsistent. Thus, in the present critical review, after selecting original research articles investigating creativity with tDCS, results will be reviewed and framed according to the different effects of tDCS and its underlying mechanisms, which can be defined as follows: the promotion of self-focused attention; the disruption of inhibiting mechanisms; the enhancement of creative thinking; the promotion of artistic enactment. Finally, a theoretical perspective, the creative on/off model, will be provided to integrate the reported evidence with respect to both anatomical and functional issues and propose a cognitive explanation of the emergence of creative thinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Lucchiari
- Department of Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Maria Sala
- Department of Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Paracampo R, Pirruccio M, Costa M, Borgomaneri S, Avenanti A. Visual, sensorimotor and cognitive routes to understanding others' enjoyment: An individual differences rTMS approach to empathic accuracy. Neuropsychologia 2018; 116:86-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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