Cited by 225Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesElectroconvulsive Therapy Studies

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Enhances Cognitive Control During Emotion Regulation

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Feeser, Melanie, Prehn, Kristin, Kazzer, Philipp, Mungee, Aditya, Bajbouj, Malek·2014·Brain Stimulation

Abstract

Background The ability to cognitively control emotions is critical for mental health. Previous studies have identified the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) as a core region in cognitive reappraisal. However, there is only scarce evidence whether directly modulating dlPFC activity results in improved capacities for cognitive reappraisal. Objective In this study, we used anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dlPFC to investigate the effects of increased dlPFC excitability on cognitive reappraisal as indexed by subjective emotional arousal ratings and skin conductance responses. Methods The study was designed as a double-blind, between-subjects, sham-controlled trial. Half of the healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive either active tDCS (n = 21, 1.5 mA for 20 min over the right dlPFC) or sham stimulation (n = 21). Participants viewed negative and neutral pictures from the International Affective Picture System while they were instructed to either downregulate, upregulate or maintain their emotions. After each picture presentation, participants rated the intensity of emotional arousal. Skin conductance responses and gaze fixation were assessed. Results Our results revealed that anodal prefrontal tDCS during downregulation resulted in decreased skin conductance responses and decreased emotional arousal ratings. The opposite pattern was observed for the upregulation condition in which anodal tDCS resulted in higher arousal ratings accompanied by marginally enhanced skin conductance responses. Conclusion Our data indicates that tDCS facilitates cognitive reappraisal in both directions by either increasing or decreasing emotional responsiveness depending on the regulatory goal. This provides further evidence for the potential use of tDCS as a tool to modulate cognitive reappraisal. However, given the limitations of the present study, our findings need to be replicated and complimented by further studies.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.brs.2013.08.006

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Authors
Feeser, M., Prehn, K., Kazzer, P., Mungee, A., & Bajbouj, M.
Affiliations
Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
Venue
Brain Stimulation
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-01
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
105-112
ISSN
  • 1876-4754 (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-861X
OpenAlex
W2012412267
Cited by
225
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 4
FWCI
5.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Brain stimulation (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
Keywords
transcranial direct current stimulation, cognitive reappraisal, emotion regulation, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anodal tDCS, emotional arousal, skin conductance response, cognitive control
MeSH terms
Adult, Arousal, Cognition, Double-Blind Method, Electric Stimulation, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prefrontal Cortex, Young Adult

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