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Pilloni G, Cho H, Tian TE, Beringer J, Bikson M, Charvet L. Immediate and Differential Response to Emotional Stimuli Associated With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Depression: A Visual-Search Task Pilot Study. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:759-765. [PMID: 37598327 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.07.006] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES When administered in repeated daily doses, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) directed to the prefrontal cortex has cumulative efficacy for the treatment of depression. Depression can be marked by altered processing of emotionally salient information. An acute marker of response to tDCS may be measured as an immediate change in emotional information processing. Using an easily administered web-based task, we tested immediate changes in emotional information processing in acute response to tDCS in participants with and without depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled n = 21 women with mild-to-moderate depression and n = 20 controls without depression to complete a web-based visual search task before and after 30 minutes of tDCS directed to the prefrontal cortex. The timed task required participants to identify a target face among arrays showing sad, neutral, or mixed (distractor) expressions. RESULTS At baseline, as predicted, the participants with depression differed from those without in emotional processing speed (mean z score difference -0.66 ± 0.27, p = 0.022) and accuracy in identifying sad stimuli (error rate: 4.4% vs 1.8%, p = 0.039). In response to tDCS, the participants with depression became significantly faster on the distractor condition (pre- vs post-tDCS z scores: -0.45 ± 0.65 vs -0.85 ± 0.65, p = 0.009), suggesting a specific reduction in bias toward negative emotional information. In response to tDCS, the depressed group also had significant improvements in self-reported mood (increased happy, decreased sad and anxious mood). CONCLUSIONS Participants with depression vs those without were differentiated by their performance of the visual search task at baseline and in response to tDCS. Given that measurable effects on depression scales may require weeks of tDCS treatments, acute change in emotional information processing can serve as an easily obtainable marker of depression and its response to tDCS. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The Clinicaltrials.gov registration number for the study is NCT05188248.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Pilloni
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hyein Cho
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tian Esme Tian
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Marom Bikson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leigh Charvet
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Stuchlíková Z, Klírová M. A Literature Mini-Review of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:874128. [PMID: 35530026 PMCID: PMC9069055 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.874128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neurostimulation method that utilizes the effect of low-current on brain tissue. In recent years, the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation has been investigated as a therapeutic modality in various neuropsychiatric indications, one of them being schizophrenia. This article aims to provide an overview of the potential application and effect of tDCS in treating patients with schizophrenia. A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for relevant research published from any date until December 2021. Eligible studies included those that used randomized controlled parallel-group design and focused on the use of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of positive, negative, or cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Studies were divided into groups based on the focus of research and an overview is provided in separate sections and tables in the article. The original database search yielded 705 results out of which 27 randomized controlled trials met the eligibility criteria and were selected and used for the purpose of this article. In a review of the selected trials, transcranial direct current stimulation is a safe and well-tolerated method that appears to have the potential as an effective modality for the treatment of positive and negative schizophrenic symptoms and offers promising results in influencing cognition. However, ongoing research is needed to confirm these conclusions and to further specify distinct application parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Stuchlíková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.,Hospital České Budĕjovice, a.s., České Budĕjovice, Czechia
| | - Monika Klírová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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Schilling TM, Bossert M, König M, Wirtz G, Weisbrod M, Aschenbrenner S. Acute effects of a single dose of 2 mA of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on executive functions in patients with schizophrenia-A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254695. [PMID: 34270620 PMCID: PMC8284793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Cognitive impairments are a frequent and difficult to treat symptom in patients with schizophrenia and the strongest predictor for a successful reintegration in occupational and everyday life. Recent research suggests transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognition in this patient group. However, the question regarding its acute effectiveness on executive functions remains largely unanswered. Here, we examined in a randomized, double blind, sham-controlled repeated-measures design the impact of tDCS on performance in several executive functions in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or acute transient psychotic disorder. Methods Patients (N = 48) were tested twice using standardized, well-constructed and clinically validated neuropsychological tests assessing verbal working memory, response inhibition, mental flexibility and problem solving. In session 1 they solely underwent the neuropsychological assessment, whereas in session 2 they additionally received 2 mA of anodal tDCS stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cathode right supraorbital ridge, or sham stimulation for 20 minutes. Results Patients of both groups were not able to correctly discriminate the type of stimulation received confirming the success of the blinding procedure. However, analyzing the whole sample the change in performance from session 1 to session 2 was the same in the verum as in the sham condition (all p >.5). Moreover, a subsequent exploratory analysis showed that performance in the response inhibition task was worse for patients that engaged in the task within 20 minutes after the end of the verum stimulation. Conclusion Hence, 2 mA of anodal tDCS applied over the left DLPFC did not acutely enhance executive functions in patients with schizophrenia or related disorders but impaired performance in the response inhibition task shortly after. Future studies should continue to seek for effective stimulation configurations for this patient group. Clinical trial registration The study is registered in the “Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS”, German Clinical Trial Register and has been allocated the following number: DRKS00022126.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Schilling
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Magdalena Bossert
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
| | - Miriam König
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
| | - Gustav Wirtz
- SRH Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, Karlsbad, Germany
| | - Matthias Weisbrod
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steffen Aschenbrenner
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
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Begemann MJ, Brand BA, Ćurčić-Blake B, Aleman A, Sommer IE. Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation on cognitive functioning in brain disorders: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2020; 50:2465-2486. [PMID: 33070785 PMCID: PMC7737055 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720003670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognition is commonly affected in brain disorders. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may have procognitive effects, with high tolerability. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in improving cognition, in schizophrenia, depression, dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis. METHODS A PRISMA systematic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials. Hedges' g was used to quantify effect sizes (ES) for changes in cognition after TMS/tDCS v. sham. As different cognitive functions may have unequal susceptibility to TMS/tDCS, we separately evaluated the effects on: attention/vigilance, working memory, executive functioning, processing speed, verbal fluency, verbal learning, and social cognition. RESULTS We included 82 studies (n = 2784). For working memory, both TMS (ES = 0.17, p = 0.015) and tDCS (ES = 0.17, p = 0.021) showed small but significant effects. Age positively moderated the effect of TMS. TDCS was superior to sham for attention/vigilance (ES = 0.20, p = 0.020). These significant effects did not differ across the type of brain disorder. Results were not significant for the other five cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that both TMS and tDCS elicit a small trans-diagnostic effect on working memory, tDCS also improved attention/vigilance across diagnoses. Effects on the other domains were not significant. Observed ES were small, yet even slight cognitive improvements may facilitate daily functioning. While NIBS can be a well-tolerated treatment, its effects appear domain specific and should be applied only for realistic indications (i.e. to induce a small improvement in working memory or attention).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke J. Begemann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bodyl A. Brand
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Branislava Ćurčić-Blake
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - André Aleman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Iris E. Sommer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Ciullo V, Spalletta G, Caltagirone C, Banaj N, Vecchio D, Piras F, Piras F. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognition in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Systematic Review of the Evidence and Future Directions. Neuroscientist 2020; 27:285-309. [PMID: 32644874 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420936167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been implemented in neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by cognitive impairment. However, methodological heterogeneity challenges conclusive remarks. Through a critical analysis of previous conflicting findings and in the light of current neurobiological models of pathophysiology, we qualitatively assessed the effects of tDCS in neuropsychiatric disorders that share neurobiological underpinnings, as to evaluate whether stimulation can improve cognitive deficits in patients' cohorts. We performed a systematic review of tDCS studies targeting cognitive functions in mental disorders and pathological cognitive aging. Data from 41 studies, comprising patients with diagnosis of mood disorders, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), were included. Results indicate that tDCS has the capacity to enhance processing speed, working memory, and executive functions in patients with mood and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. The evidence of a positive effect on general cognitive functioning and memory is either inconclusive in AD, or weak in MCI. Future directions are discussed for developing standardized stimulation protocols and for translating the technique therapeutic potential into effective clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ciullo
- Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Spalletta
- Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Nerisa Banaj
- Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Vecchio
- Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Piras
- Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Piras
- Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Kostova R, Cecere R, Thut G, Uhlhaas PJ. Targeting cognition in schizophrenia through transcranial direct current stimulation: A systematic review and perspective. Schizophr Res 2020; 220:300-310. [PMID: 32204971 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are a fundamental feature of schizophrenia for which currently no effective treatments exist. This paper examines the possibility to use transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to target cognitive deficits in schizophrenia as evidence from studies in healthy participants suggests that tDCS may improve cognitive functions and associated neural processes. We carried out a systematic review with the following search terms: 'tDCS', 'electric brain stimulation', 'schizophrenia', 'cognitive', 'cognition' until March 2019. 659 records were identified initially, 612 of which were excluded after abstract screening. The remaining 47 articles were assessed for eligibility based on our criteria and 26 studies were excluded. In addition, we compared several variables, such as online vs. offline-stimulation protocols, stimulation type and intensity on mediating positive vs. negative study outcomes. The majority of studies (n = 21) identified significant behavioural and neural effects on a range of cognitive functions (versus n = 11 with null results), including working memory, attention and social cognition. However, we could not identify tDCS parameters (electrode montage, stimulation protocol, type and intensity) that clearly mediated effects on cognitive deficits. There is preliminary evidence for the possibility that tDCS may improve cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. We discuss the rationale and strength of evidence for using tDCS for targeting cognitive deficits in schizophrenia as well as methodological issues and potential mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kostova
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - R Cecere
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - G Thut
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Peter J Uhlhaas
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Haupt M, Ruiz-Rizzo AL, Sorg C, Finke K. Phasic alerting effects on visual processing speed are associated with intrinsic functional connectivity in the cingulo-opercular network. Neuroimage 2019; 196:216-226. [PMID: 30978493 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Phasic alertness refers to short-lived increases in the brain's "state of readiness", and thus to optimized performance following warning cues. Parametric modelling of whole report task performance based on the computational theory of visual attention (TVA) has demonstrated that visual processing speed is increased in such cue compared to no-cue conditions. Furthermore, with respect to the underlying neural mechanisms, individual visual processing speed has been related to intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) within the cingulo-opercular network, suggesting that this network's iFC is relevant for the tonic maintenance of an appropriate readiness or alertness state. In the present study, we asked whether iFC in the cingulo-opercular network is also related to the individual ability to actively profit from warning cues, i.e. to the degree of phasic alerting. We obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data from 32 healthy young participants and combined an independent component analysis of rs-fMRI time courses and dual regression approach to determine iFC in the cingulo-opercular network. In a separate behavioural testing session, we parametrically assessed the effects of auditory phasic alerting cues on visual processing speed in a TVA-based whole report paradigm. A voxel-wise multiple regression revealed that higher individual phasic alerting effects on visual processing speed were significantly associated with lower iFC in the cingulo-opercular network, with a peak in the left superior orbital gyrus. As phasic alertness was neither related to iFC in other attention-relevant, auditory, or visual networks nor associated with any inter-network connectivity pattern, the results suggest that the individual profit in visual processing speed gained from phasic alerting is primarily associated with iFC in the cingulo-opercular network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Haupt
- General and Experimental Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Adriana L Ruiz-Rizzo
- General and Experimental Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Sorg
- Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Finke
- General and Experimental Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
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Ruiz-Rizzo AL, Neitzel J, Müller HJ, Sorg C, Finke K. Distinctive Correspondence Between Separable Visual Attention Functions and Intrinsic Brain Networks. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:89. [PMID: 29662444 PMCID: PMC5890144 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Separable visual attention functions are assumed to rely on distinct but interacting neural mechanisms. Bundesen's “theory of visual attention” (TVA) allows the mathematical estimation of independent parameters that characterize individuals' visual attentional capacity (i.e., visual processing speed and visual short-term memory storage capacity) and selectivity functions (i.e., top-down control and spatial laterality). However, it is unclear whether these parameters distinctively map onto different brain networks obtained from intrinsic functional connectivity, which organizes slowly fluctuating ongoing brain activity. In our study, 31 demographically homogeneous healthy young participants performed whole- and partial-report tasks and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Report accuracy was modeled using TVA to estimate, individually, the four TVA parameters. Networks encompassing cortical areas relevant for visual attention were derived from independent component analysis of rs-fMRI data: visual, executive control, right and left frontoparietal, and ventral and dorsal attention networks. Two TVA parameters were mapped on particular functional networks. First, participants with higher (vs. lower) visual processing speed showed lower functional connectivity within the ventral attention network. Second, participants with more (vs. less) efficient top-down control showed higher functional connectivity within the dorsal attention network and lower functional connectivity within the visual network. Additionally, higher performance was associated with higher functional connectivity between networks: specifically, between the ventral attention and right frontoparietal networks for visual processing speed, and between the visual and executive control networks for top-down control. The higher inter-network functional connectivity was related to lower intra-network connectivity. These results demonstrate that separable visual attention parameters that are assumed to constitute relatively stable traits correspond distinctly to the functional connectivity both within and between particular functional networks. This implies that individual differences in basic attention functions are represented by differences in the coherence of slowly fluctuating brain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana L Ruiz-Rizzo
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Neitzel
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hermann J Müller
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,School of Psychological Science, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Sorg
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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