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Cited by 59Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Ventrolateral but not Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex tDCS effectively impact emotion reappraisal – effects on Emotional Experience and Interbeat Interval

Open access
Marques, Lucas M., Morello, Letícia Y. N., Boggio, Paulo S.·2018·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-018-33711-5PMC PMC6193012
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Abstract

Emotions can be understood as behavioral, physiological, and subjective individual’s alteration due to a given situation. Several times, an efficient regulation of these emotions can promote psychological and social survival. It has been demonstrated that the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) presents a relevant role in cognitive control, especially during emotion regulation strategies. However, evidence for the role of the PFC and emotional regulation comes mostly from neuroimaging experiments lacking from causal information. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to be an efficient noninvasive neuromodulation technique capable to address causal hypothesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of two regions of the PFC (Dorsolateral and Ventrolateral region) on different strategies of emotional reappraisal during the observation of negative images. 180 undergraduate students (mean age 21,75 ± 3,38) participated in this study, divided in two experiments (Dorsolateral PFC - n = 90; Ventrolateral PFC - n = 90). As not expected, DLPFC tDCS did not modulate the responses on the emotional regulation task. However, VLPFC tDCS resulted in less negative valence of negative images as well as decreased cardiac interbeat interval on earlier moments of emotional processing. These findings supports the general view about the role of the PFC on emotional regulation and, at the same time, advances the field by providing evidence that evaluation of negative stimuli is much more based on the VLPFC than on the DLPCF.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In two tDCS experiments, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation did not alter reappraisal of negative images, whereas ventrolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation with the ANF7/CATF8 montage made negative images less negative and decreased early interbeat interval. These results support a causal role for VLPFC, but not DLPFC, in emotional evaluation of negative stimuli.

Key findings

  • DLPFC tDCS (Experiment 1, n = 90) did not modulate the emotional regulation task: no significant tDCS Montage effects on valence (F2,87 = 0.015; p = 0.985), arousal (F2,87 = 0.526; p = 0.593), or IBI (F2,85 = 0.700; p = 0.500).
  • VLPFC tDCS (Experiment 2, n = 89 analyzed) with ANF7/CATF8 increased valence scores, indicating less negative perception, compared with Sham: 3.33 ± 0.15 vs. 2.74 ± 0.15, p < 0.010, regardless of reappraisal strategy. The opposite montage ANF8/CATF7 did not differ significantly.
  • In Experiment 2, ANF7/CATF8 also produced lower IBI2 delta values (−0.01 ± 0.01) than Sham (0.00 ± 0.01; p = 0.016) and ANF8/CATF7 (0.00 ± 0.01; p = 0.013), suggesting greater early cardiac recruitment.
  • In both experiments, the task increased negative affect and decreased positive affect, and reappraisal strategies significantly affected valence and arousal ratings.

Methods

  • Two between-subjects tDCS experiments in 180 undergraduate students total (DLPFC n = 90; VLPFC n = 90, with one excluded in Experiment 2 due to ECG/behavioral recording failure).
  • Participants viewed 72 negative IAPS images (24 per strategy: up-regulation, down-regulation, maintain) and rated valence and arousal with the Self-Assessment Manikin; ECG interbeat interval (IBI) was recorded across 13 points.
  • tDCS was 1.5 mA for 20 min active stimulation (including 5 min before task) or 30 s sham, with 16 cm² electrodes and blinding; analyses used repeated-measures ANOVA with Duncan post hoc tests, plus COMETS2 current-flow modeling.

Limitations

  • Stated: only negative images were used, so effects on positive emotions or valence differences cannot be evaluated; the absence of an ANF8/CATF7 effect means the VLPFC role should be interpreted with caution; conventional tDCS is diffuse and nearby PFC regions may modulate each other; future work should test unilateral/bilateral montages, attentional distraction, eye movement, and neuroimaging.
  • Stated: the DLPFC montage produced current densities more dorsal than dorsolateral in the PFC, which may explain the null DLPFC effects.
  • Evident from the text: Experiment 1 groups differed significantly in age (F = 3.90, p = 0.02), and Experiment 2 excluded one participant due to ECG and behavioral data recording failure.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41598-018-33711-5

Cites

42 of 42 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

14 of 38 cited sources checked · 8 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Interpretationcitation

    The finding of decreased IBI event (increased cardiac recruitment) during active cognitive reappraisal strategies reflects greater cognitive engagement.

    “Here, the finding regarding the use of both active cognitive reappraisal strategies occurs in the opposite direction, that is, a decrease in IBI event (increased cardiac recruitment), which, therefore, following the literature30–32, would reflect a greater cognitive engagement.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [30] Gunther Moor, B., Bos, M. G., Crone, E. A. & van der Molen, M. W. Peer rejection cues induce cardiac slowing after transition into adolescence. Developmental psychology 50, 947 (2014). source
    • cites [31] Gunther Moor, B., Crone, E. A. & van der Molen, M. W. The heartbrake of social rejection: heart rate deceleration in response to unexpected peer rejection. Psychological Science 21, 1326–1333 (2010). source
    • cites [32] Bradley, M. M. Natural selective attention: Orienting and emotion. Psychophysiology 46, 1–11 (2009). source
  • Premisecitation

    VLPFC mediates amygdala activity in response to negative stimuli.

    “some studies demonstrated the role of VLPFC on mediating Amygdala activity in respect to negative stimuli41,42”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [41] Wager, T. D., Davidson, M. L., Hughes, B. L., Lindquist, M. A. & Ochsner, K. N. Prefrontal-subcortical pathways mediating successful emotion regulation. Neuron 59, 1037–1050 (2008). source

      The Results section (‘Testing the amygdala and NAC/VS as mediators using a priori ROIs’; page unavailable) reports that left-amygdala activity was positively associated with vlPFC activity during reappraisal of emotional pictures. It suggests that vlPFC plays a role in negative affective responses through the amygdala, but does not establish that vlPFC causally mediates amygdala activity; in the paper’s mediation analysis, the amygdala is the mediator. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [42] Morawetz, C., Bode, S., Derntl, B. & Heekeren, H. R. The effect of strategies, goals and stimulus material on the neural mechanisms of emotion regulation: A meta-analysis of fMRI studies. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (2016). source
  • Premisecitation

    Each tDCS montage presents a particular effect resulting from the combination of the modulation of both electrodes.

    “each tDCS montage present a particular effect, resultant of the combination of the modulation of both electrodes”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Rêgo, G. G. et al. Hemispheric dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lateralization in the regulation of empathy for pain. Neuroscience letters 594, 12–16 (2015). source

      The Methods (§2.7; page unavailable) describe two montages that reverse the placement of anodal and cathodal electrodes, and the Results (§3.1; page unavailable) report different valence and arousal effects for those montages. This supports montage-dependent effects, but the study does not isolate each electrode’s contribution or establish that every montage’s effect results from their combined modulation. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Two contralateral PFC balanced tDCS montages (ANF3/CATF4 and ANF4/CATF3) can present two different effects even though they do not have opposite characteristics.

    “two contralateral PFC balanced tDCS montage (ANF3/CATF4 and ANF4/CATF3) could present two different effects even though they do not have opposite characteristics”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Rêgo, G. G. et al. Hemispheric dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lateralization in the regulation of empathy for pain. Neuroscience letters 594, 12–16 (2015). source
  • Findingown data

    During events between IBI2 to IBI10, lower IBI event were observed for Down- and Up-regulation strategies compared to Maintain.

    “During events between IBI2 to IBI10, lower IBI event were observed for the use of Down- and Up-regulation strategies when compared to the Maintain strategy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 38
  • May combine two claims. 25
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The right DLPFC has an effective role in the control of the emotional impact from negatively valent videos about pain.

    “These findings are consistent with another recent study by14, in which the authors showed an effective role of the right DLPFC in the control of the emotional impact from negatively valent videos about pain.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Rêgo, G. G. et al. Hemispheric dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lateralization in the regulation of empathy for pain. Neuroscience letters 594, 12–16 (2015). source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Cognitive reappraisal of emotional stimuli recruits cortical structures including the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex.

    “Beyond the involvement of cerebral structures such as the insular cortex and the amygdala5, the cognitive reappraisal of emotional stimuli recruits cortical structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) (for a review, see Kalisch6 and Buhle et al.7).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Kalisch6

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Buhle et al. [7] Buhle, J. T. et al. Cognitive reappraisal of emotion: a meta-analysis of human neuroimaging studies. Cerebral cortex 24, 2981–2990 (2014). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The finding of cardiac differences between active and passive strategies is in accordance with Urry et al.35, which presented sympathetic activation for active cognitive reappraisal strategies, measured by pupil diameter or IBI.

    “This finding is in accordance with Urry et al.35, which presented sympathetic activation in respect to the use of active cognitive reappraisal strategies, either by the pupil diameter or by IBI measure.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [35] Urry, H. L., van Reekum, C. M., Johnstone, T. & Davidson, R. J. Individual differences in some (but not all) medial prefrontal regions reflect cognitive demand while regulating unpleasant emotion. Neuroimage 47, 852–863 (2009). source

      The Results (Effects of Reappraisal on Autonomic Physiology; page unavailable) report greater cardiac acceleration and pupil diameter during active increase and decrease reappraisal than during maintenance. However, the paper interprets those two measures as evidence of greater cognitive demand, not specifically sympathetic activation; it identifies EDA as the relatively pure sympathetic measure (Abstract; page unavailable). (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is an effective non-invasive technique for research with both healthy and clinical subjects in the domain of social cognition.

    “Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to be an effective non-invasive technique for research conducted with both healthy8 and clinical subjects9 in the domain of social cognition10.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [8] Nitsche, M. A. et al. Transcranial direct current stimulation: state of the art 2008. Brain stimulation 1, 206–223 (2008). source
    • cites [9] Brunoni, A. R. et al. Clinical research with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): challenges and future directions. Brain stimulation 5, 175–195 (2012). source
    • cites [10] Boggio, P. S., Rêgo, G. G., Marques, L. M. & Costa, T. L. Social Psychology and Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation. European Psychologist (2016). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    All target images had low levels of emotional valence and high levels of emotional arousal according to normative values for the city of São Paulo for IAPS images.

    “All target images had low levels of emotional valence and high levels of emotional arousal (see Appendix), considering the normative values for the city of São Paulo23 for images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS24).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [23] Ribeiro, R. L., Pompéia, S. & Bueno, O. F. A. Comparison of brazilian and american norms for the international affective picture system (IAPS). Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 27, 208–215 (2005). source
    • cites [24] Lang, P. J. International affective picture system (IAPS): Affective ratings of pictures and instruction manual. Technical report (2005).

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The current experiment opted explicitly not to place the reference electrode in the contralateral supraorbital region because some studies suggest a role of the medial prefrontal cortex in cognitive reappraisal, which would be problematic.

    “In addition, the current experiment opted explicitly not to place the reference electrode in the contralateral supraorbital region, as some studies have suggested a role of the medial prefrontal cortex in the employment of strategies of cognitive reappraisal35,39, which would be problematic for the”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [35] Urry, H. L., van Reekum, C. M., Johnstone, T. & Davidson, R. J. Individual differences in some (but not all) medial prefrontal regions reflect cognitive demand while regulating unpleasant emotion. Neuroimage 47, 852–863 (2009). source
    • cites [39] Etkin, A., Büchel, C. & Gross, J. J. The neural bases of emotion regulation. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience 16, 693 (2015). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The finding is in accordance with Vanderhasselt et al.38, which demonstrates that presentation of an informative screen about the valence of the image to be displayed promotes higher cognitive engagement as measured by pupil diameter.

    “This finding is in accordance with the study by Vanderhasselt et al.38, which demonstrates that the presentation of an informative screen about the valence of the image to be displayed promotes higher cognitive engagement as measured by the pupil diameter.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Vanderhasselt, M.-A., Remue, J., Ng, K. K. & De Raedt, R. The interplay between the anticipation and subsequent online processing of emotional stimuli as measured by pupillary dilatation: the role of cognitive reappraisal. Frontiers in psychology 5 (2014). source

      The Materials and methods (Material; page unavailable) describe a screen that correctly cued the upcoming image’s valence, and the Discussion (page unavailable) treats larger pupil responses during anticipation as a proxy for greater mental effort. But the Discussion says only half of participants had larger responses during the cue than during the image; the study does not establish that presenting an informative screen generally increases cognitive engagement. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Anodal tDCS to the right VLPFC in a social ostracism paradigm reduces self-reported aggression.

    “More recently, the same group showed that subjects receiving anodal tDCS to the right VLPFC in the same experimental paradigm reported lower levels of aggression17.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Riva, P., Romero Lauro, L. J., DeWall, C. N., Chester, D. S. & Bushman, B. J. Reducing aggressive responses to social exclusion using transcranial direct current stimulation. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience 10, 352–356 (2014). source

      The Results (Exclusion manipulation check; page not provided) report that socially excluded participants receiving anodal rVLPFC stimulation were less aggressive than those receiving sham stimulation. But the Methods (page not provided) specify that aggression was measured by the amount of hot sauce participants allocated, not by self-report; the claim misstates the outcome measure. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The medial prefrontal cortex has a role in the employment of strategies of cognitive reappraisal.

    “suggested a role of the medial prefrontal cortex in the employment of strategies of cognitive reappraisal35,39”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [35] Urry, H. L., van Reekum, C. M., Johnstone, T. & Davidson, R. J. Individual differences in some (but not all) medial prefrontal regions reflect cognitive demand while regulating unpleasant emotion. Neuroimage 47, 852–863 (2009). source
    • cites [39] Etkin, A., Büchel, C. & Gross, J. J. The neural bases of emotion regulation. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience 16, 693 (2015). source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    During a pain-related video observation task, both ANF3/CATF4 and ANF4/CATF3 tDCS effectively modulate valence/arousal evaluation and pupil dilatation response.

    “during a pain-related video observation task, both ANF3/CATF4 and ANF4/CATF3 tDCS effectively modulate valence/arousal evaluation and pupil dilatation response”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Rêgo, G. G. et al. Hemispheric dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lateralization in the regulation of empathy for pain. Neuroscience letters 594, 12–16 (2015). source

      The Procedures describe stimulation during pain-video observation, followed by valence and arousal ratings (section 2.2; page unavailable). The Results report significant valence and arousal differences for left-cathodal/right-anodal stimulation versus both sham and the opposite montage (section 3.1). Pupil dilation differed significantly between the two montages, but the left-cathodal/right-anodal comparison with sham was only a trend; the results do not show that both montages effectively modulated all three outcomes (section 3.2). (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Arousal estimation scores were significantly higher for Up-regulation than for Down-regulation and Maintain strategies, and Down-regulation scores were significantly lower than Maintain scores.

    “the arousal estimation scores in the Up-regulation strategy (5.89 ± 0.17) were significantly higher than the scores observed for the Down-regulation strategy (4.25 ± 0.18) and the Maintain strategy (5.21 ± 0.19). In addition, the scores observed for the Down-regulation strategy were significantly lower than the scores observed for the Maintain strategy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    VLPFC tDCS resulted in less negative valence of negative images and decreased cardiac interbeat interval on earlier moments of emotional processing.

    “However, VLPFC tDCS resulted in less negative valence of negative images as well as decreased cardiac interbeat interval on earlier moments of emotional processing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For positive affect, there was a significant main effect of Time but not of tDCS Montage or the interaction between tDCS Montage and Time.

    “With respect to the analysis of levels of positive affect, a repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for Time (F1,87 = 83.592; p < 0.001; ηp = 0.490) but not for tDCS Montage (F2,87 = 0.287; p = 0.752; ηp = 0.007), or the interaction between tDCS Montage*Time (F2,87 = 0.412; p = 0.663; ηp = 0.009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For IBI, there was a significant main effect of IBI event and Strategy, and a significant interaction between Strategy and IBI event, but no significant effect of tDCS Montage or its interactions.

    “A repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for the factors of IBI event (F11,935 = 49.768; p < 0.001; ηp = 0.369), Strategy (F2,170 = 4.475; p = 0.013; ηp = 0.050), and a significant interaction between Strategy*IBI event (F22,1870 = 2.687; p < 0.001; ηp = 0.031) but no significant effects for the factor tDCS Montage (F2,85 = 0.700; p = 0.500; ηp = 0.016) or for the interactions”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For arousal estimation, there was a significant main effect of Strategy but not of tDCS Montage or the interaction between tDCS Montage and Strategy.

    “With respect to arousal, a repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of Strategy (F2,174 = 139.528; p < 0.001; η p = 0.616) but not of tDCS Montage (F2,87 = 0.526; p = 0.593; ηp = 0.012), or the interaction between tDCS Montage*Strategy (F4,174 = 0.406; p = 0.804; ηp = 0.009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    From IBI2 to IBI10, IBI delta values are significantly higher for Down-regulation and Up-regulation compared to Maintain, except at IBI4 and IBI6 where only Up-regulation differs from Maintain.

    “Furthermore, regardless of the cognitive reappraisal strategy, the IBI delta value for IBI2 to IBI10 are significant higher for Down-regulation and Up-regulation compared to Maintain strategy (except for IBI4 and IBI6 that only Up-regulation demonstrate significant differences as compared to Maintain strategy).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For emotional valence estimation, there was a significant main effect of Strategy but not of tDCS Montage or the interaction between tDCS Montage and Strategy.

    “A repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted on the scores obtained from the emotional valence estimation, revealing a significant main effect of Strategy (F2,174 = 100.94; p < 0.001; ηp = 0.537) but not of tDCS Montage (F2,87 = 0.015; p = 0.985; ηp < 0.001), or the interaction between tDCS Montage*Strategy (F4,174 = 0.735; p = 0.569; ηp = 0.017).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Valence estimation scores were significantly lower for Up-regulation than for Down-regulation and Maintain strategies, and Down-regulation scores were significantly higher than Maintain scores.

    “the valence estimation scores in the Up-regulation strategy (2.39 ± 0.08) were significantly lower than the scores observed for the Down-regulation strategy (3.50 ± 0.11) and the Maintain strategy (2.82 ± 0.10). In addition, the scores observed for the Down-regulation strategy were significantly higher than the scores observed for the Maintain strategy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the first two seconds of emotional processing, cardiac response (IBI) is higher for Down-regulation than Up-regulation, and both active regulation strategies differ from Maintain.

    “Thus, these IBI’s findings demonstrate that in the first two seconds of emotional processing, the cardiac response is higher on Down-regulation than Up-regulation, and comparing both active regulation to Maintain strategy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Experiment 1 found a significant effect of cognitive reappraisal on emotional evaluation of pictures and on cardiac interbeat intervals, and no effect of tDCS on emotional evaluation.

    “The main findings of this Experiment were i. a significant effect of the cognitive reappraisal on the emotional evaluation of the pictures as well as on cardiac interval inter beats and ii. no effect of tDCS on the emotional evaluation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Duncan post hoc tests revealed significant differences on all IBI points except IBI-1.

    “Duncan post hoc tests were performed, revealing significant differences on all IBI’s, except on IBI-1 (Fig. 3).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For negative affect, there was a significant main effect of Time but not of tDCS Montage or the interaction between tDCS Montage and Time.

    “For levels of negative affect, a repeated-measure ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of Time (F1,87 = 46.052; p < 0.001; ηp = 0.346) but not of tDCS Montage (F2,87 = 0.342; p = 0.711; ηp = 0.008), or the interaction between tDCS Montage*Time (F2,87 = 1.680; p = 0.192; ηp = 0.037).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Excitatory modulation of left VLPFC and inhibitory modulation of right VLPFC (ANF7/CATF8), but not inverted condition (ANF8/CATF7), resulted in additional modulation of the emotional impact of negatively valent images.

    “Experiment 2 showed that the excitatory modulation of the left VLPFC and inhibitory modulation of right VLPFC (ANF7/CATF8 condition), but not inverted condition (ANF8/CATF7) resulted in an additional modulation of the emotional impact of negatively valent images”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    After exposure to an emotional stimulus, there is typically a heart rate deceleration.

    “the results from ECG are in accordance to several reviews and classic studies in the area36,37 that typically after exposure to an emotional stimulus there is an heart rate deceleration.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [36] Lacey, J. I. Somatic response patterning and stress: Some revisions of activation theory. Psychological stress: Issues in research, 14–42 (1967).
    • cites [37] Lacey, J. Some autonomic-central nervous system interrelationships. Physiological correlates of emotion, 205–227 (1970). source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The prefrontal cortex plays a relevant role in cognitive control, especially during emotion regulation strategies.

    “It has been demonstrated that the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) presents a relevant role in cognitive control, especially during emotion regulation strategies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The lower latencies observed at IBI0 and IBI1 for Down-regulation may reflect increased cognitive engagement of subjects in the interval prior to image presentation (IBI-1, the instructions screen).

    “As IBI0 corresponds to the start of presentation of the emotional image, the lower latencies observed at IBI0 and IBI1 for the Down-regulation strategy may reflect increased cognitive engagement of the subjects in the interval prior to image presentation, at IBI-1 (the instructions screen).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Anodal tDCS to the right DLPFC but not the left is correlated with greater cognitive control during emotional regulation, mainly with negative emotional images.

    “Concomitantly, a more recent study by13 showed that anodal tDCS to the right DLPFC but not the left, is correlated with a greater cognitive control during emotional regulation, mainly with negative emotional images.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Pripfl, J. & Lamm, C. Focused transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex modulates specific domains of self-regulation. Neuroscience research 91, 41–47 (2015). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Mackenzie Presbyterian University and by the National Ethics committee (SISNEP, Brazil), and all participants provided written informed consent.

    “The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Mackenzie Presbyterian University and by the National Ethics committee (SISNEP, Brazil), all participants provided written informed consent, and all experiments were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Feeser et al.12 observed that anodal tDCS to the right DLPFC, with cathode/reference in contralateral supraorbital region, potentiated cognitive control in a cognitive reappraisal task compared to sham.

    “Feeser, et al.12 observed that anodal tDCS application to the right DLPFC, with the cathode/reference electrode placed in the contralateral supraorbital region, led to a potentiation of cognitive control in a task of cognitive reappraisal as compared to a sham tDCS condition.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Feeser, M., Prehn, K., Kazzer, P., Mungee, A. & Bajbouj, M. Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances cognitive control during emotion regulation. Brain stimulation 7, 105–112 (2014). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Some studies on cardiac recruitment during cognitive/emotional tasks observed increased IBI event (decrease in cardiac recruitment) after 2000 ms from the emotional stimulus, which they considered a decrease in cognitive engagement after habituation.

    “some studies on the cardiac recruitment during cognitive/emotional tasks30,31, observed increased IBI event (decrease in cardiac recruitment) after 2000 ms period from the emotional stimulus. These authors considered these findings as a decrease in cognitive engagement after habituation in relation to the exposed emotional stimulus.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [30] Gunther Moor, B., Bos, M. G., Crone, E. A. & van der Molen, M. W. Peer rejection cues induce cardiac slowing after transition into adolescence. Developmental psychology 50, 947 (2014). source
    • cites [31] Gunther Moor, B., Crone, E. A. & van der Molen, M. W. The heartbrake of social rejection: heart rate deceleration in response to unexpected peer rejection. Psychological Science 21, 1326–1333 (2010). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The DLPFC and VLPFC exert a similar effect on processes of emotional control, albeit in different ways.

    “Taken together, these studies suggest that the DLPFC and VLPFC exert a similar effect on processes of emotional control, albeit in different ways.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    tDCS applies a continuous, low-intensity electrical current that typically produces excitatory/inhibitory modulation in cortical regions immediately below the electrodes, depending on polarity.

    “The technique is based on the application of a continuous, low-intensity electrical current, where one typically observes patterns of excitatory/inhibitory modulation in the cortical regions immediately below the positioned electrodes, depending on the polarity used11.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] Nitsche, M. A. et al. Modulating parameters of excitability during and after transcranial direct current stimulation of the human motor cortex. The Journal of physiology 568, 291–303 (2005). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    A between-subjects design was employed in Experiment 1, controlling for possible practice effects in the cognitive reappraisal task.

    “A between-subjects design was employed, controlling for possible practice effects in the task of cognitive reappraisal.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Anodal tDCS to the right VLPFC during a social ostracism task reduces subjects' self-reported feelings of discomfort and pain compared to sham.

    “A study by16 showed that anodal tDCS to the right VLPFC during a social ostracism task can reduce subjects’ self-reported feelings of discomfort and pain, when compared to the results from the sham group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] Riva, P., Romero Lauro, L. J., DeWall, C. N. & Bushman, B. J. Buffer the pain away: stimulating the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex reduces pain following social exclusion. Psychological science 23, 1473–1475 (2012). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Participants were blinded for the stimulation condition.

    “The participants were blinded for the stimulation condition.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Anodal tDCS to the right DLPFC increases subjects' capacity for cognitive reappraisal compared to sham, for both up-regulation and down-regulation.

    “One of these is a recent study by12, which showed that anodal tDCS to the right DLPFC resulted in a significant increase in subjects’ capacity for cognitive reappraisal as compared to a sham condition, both in terms of the up-regulation as well as the down-regulation of the current emotion, indicating a distinct role of the DLPFC in the cognitive control of emotion.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Feeser, M., Prehn, K., Kazzer, P., Mungee, A. & Bajbouj, M. Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances cognitive control during emotion regulation. Brain stimulation 7, 105–112 (2014). source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    ANF7/CATF8 stimulation has a causal effect on emotional experience and physiological modulation of a negative picture observation task.

    “these findings represent the causal effect of ANF7/CATF8 stimulation on the emotional experience and physiological modulation of a negative picture observation task”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The tDCS montage ANF7/CATF8 predominantly excites the neural population under the anode (F7) and inhibits the population under the cathode (F8).

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The absence of opposing effects can be accepted considering a sum of other effects and phenomena not controlled.

    “the absence of opposing effects can be accepted, considering a sum of other effects and phenomena not controlled”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    A generalized effect for both positive and negative emotional stimuli cannot be excluded.

    “we cannot exclude the possibility of a generalized effect for both positive and negative emotional stimuli”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    When high-definition and conventional tDCS were directly compared, no significant effects emerged between them and both were effective in modulating performance on a behavioral paradigm.

    “when these two approaches were directly compared, no significant effects emerged between them and both were effective in modulating the performance on a behavioral paradigm43”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Hogeveen, J. et al. Effects of high-definition and conventional tDCS on response inhibition. Brain stimulation 9, 720–729 (2016). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    A main limitation is the unique experimentation of negative emotions rather than both emotional valences.

    “our main limitations may be characterized by the unique experimentation of negative emotions rather than both emotional valences”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    All participants were blinded for the stimulation condition.

    “all participants were blinded for the stimulation condition”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Both electrodes (anode at F7, cathode at F8) effectively impacted the target neural population, with ANF7 predominantly excited and CATF8 inhibited.

    “both electrodes, anode at F7 and cathode at F8 effectively impacted the target neural population, with the neural population in ANF7 being predominantly excited and the population in CATF8 inhibited”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The tDCS montage ANF7/CATF8 predominantly excites the neural population under the anode (F7) and inhibits the population under the cathode (F8).

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    The absence of the expected opposite result for the opposite montage may be explained by a specific lateralized response to each type of tDCS montage.

    “One possible explanation could be characterized by the specific lateralized response in relation to each type of tDCS montage”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisereasoning

    Computational models have shown that high-definition tDCS has better focality than conventional tDCS.

    “High-definition tDCS has been shown promising as computational models have shown its better focality as compared to the conventional tDCS (the one used in our study).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    tDCS-induced effects on VLPFC led to less negative emotional perception, possibly explained by VLPFC-amygdala mediation.

    “tDCS induced effects on the VLPFC led to less negative emotional perception of the emotional images which might be explained to this VLPFC-Amygdala mediation”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The conflicting findings can be understood due to possible methodological differences and experimental purpose.

    “these conflicting findings can be understood due to possible methodological differences and experimental purpose”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Left IFG and left VLPFC activate during emotion regulation regardless of strategy, and both play a role in selective attention, response inhibition, and reorienting attention.

    “left Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG) and left VLPFC activate during emotion regulation regardless of strategy, but both regions present an important role on selective attention, response inhibition and reorienting attention42”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [42] Morawetz, C., Bode, S., Derntl, B. & Heekeren, H. R. The effect of strategies, goals and stimulus material on the neural mechanisms of emotion regulation: A meta-analysis of fMRI studies. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (2016). source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Ventral PFC may influence context-appropriate emotional value, while dorsal PFC may influence cognitive control of emotion.

    “ventral regions of Prefrontal Cortex may influence on individual context-appropriate emotional value, while dorsal regions may influence on cognitive control of emotion”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] Ochsner, K. N. & Gross, J. J. The cognitive control of emotion. Trends in cognitive sciences 9, 242–249 (2005). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The two prefrontal structures tested have relative proximity, so neuromodulation of one region could modulate the other.

    “here we tested two pre-frontal structures that have relative proximity, in this way it could be considered that the neuromodulation of one region could modulate the other”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    Findings from both experiments are consistent with literature on negative emotional images exposure.

    “the findings from both Experiment 1 and 2 are consistent with the results commonly observed in the literature with negative emotional images exposure”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    One participant's data was excluded due to a failure in ECG and behavioural data recording.

    “only the data from one participant was excluded due a failure in ECG and behavioural data recording”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    ECG data (IBI) from Experiment 1 are an innovative measure of significant effects of Down-regulation strategy on cognitive reappraisal.

    “the ECG data expressed in terms of IBI values from Experiment 1 are an innovative measure of the significant effects of the Down-regulation strategy on the cognitive reappraisal of emotional images”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationown data

    The findings on emotional experience judgment support the model that ventral PFC influences emotional value and dorsal PFC influences cognitive control.

    “Our findings on emotional experience judgment and not on specific cognitive reappraisal strategies support this model.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    A one-way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences for any of the scales.

    “A one-way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences for any of the scales”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
55 of 55

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Evidence for the role of the PFC in emotional regulation comes mostly from neuroimaging experiments lacking causal information.

    “However, evidence for the role of the PFC and emotional regulation comes mostly from neuroimaging experiments lacking from causal information.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Up until the present, only one previous study has aimed to investigate the effects of tDCS applied to the DLPFC during tasks of cognitive reappraisal.

    “Up until the present, only one previous study has aimed to investigate the effects of tDCS applied to the DLPFC during tasks of cognitive reappraisal.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The tDCS montage ANF7/CATF8 predominantly excites the neural population under the anode (F7) and inhibits the population under the cathode (F8).

    “both electrodes, anode at F7 and cathode at F8 effectively impacted the target neural population, with the neural population in ANF7 being predominantly excited and the population in CATF8 inhibited”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The lack of significant effect for ANF8/CATF7 is not due to insufficient statistical power.

    “we did not found any significant effect for ANF8/CATF7”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Some studies found that tDCS over the dlPFC or vlPFC enhances cognitive reappraisal.

    “While some studies have found that tDCS over the dlPFC or vlPFC enhances cognitive reappraisal [141–143], others have not [143, 144].”

    From Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [143]

  • Results of brain stimulation studies on the PFC and emotion regulation are inconsistent.

    “However, results of these studies have been inconsistent. While some studies have found that tDCS over the dlPFC or vlPFC enhances cognitive reappraisal [141–143], others have not [143, 144].”

    From Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [143]

  • Other studies did not find that tDCS over the dlPFC or vlPFC enhances cognitive reappraisal.

    “While some studies have found that tDCS over the dlPFC or vlPFC enhances cognitive reappraisal [141–143], others have not [143, 144].”

    From Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [143]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Experiment 1 discussion reverses the reported IBI direction

    Major

    The results say that IBI values from IBI2 to IBI10 were higher for the active regulation strategies than for Maintain, subject to stated exceptions. The discussion describes them as lower.

  • Experiment 2 discussion reports IBI effects at the wrong events

    Major

    The results report a significant ANF7/CATF8 difference specifically at IBI2. The discussion instead attributes that effect to IBI0 and also reports an ANF8/CATF7 effect at IBI1 that is not among the reported significant comparisons.

  • Experiment 2 identifies the stimulated region as DLPFC

    Minor

    Experiment 2 is described in its methods as the VLPFC experiment, whereas its discussion says its F7/F8 montages were applied to the DLPFC.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Boian, A., Soares, D. & Silva, J. Questionário de Regulação Emocional adaptado para a população brasileira. Retrieved December 15, 2010 (2009).
  2. Siqueira, M., Martins, M. & Moura, O. Construção e validação fatorial da EAPN: Escala de Ânimo Positivo e Negativo. Revista da Sociedade de Psicologia do Triângulo Mineiro 2, 34–40 (1999).

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Marques, L. M., Morello, L. Y. N., & Boggio, P. S.
Affiliations
Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (BR)
Corresponding author
Boggio, Paulo S.
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2018-10-17
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
15295-15295
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-018-33711-5
PMC
PMC6193012
OpenAlex
W2897310724
Semantic Scholar
e29930a41af04335b5ab909321b73d9281e3f627
Cited by
59
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2017: 1
FWCI
2.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (2014/, 2017/06136-2, 2014/24399-2)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (304164/2012-7)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, transcranial direct current stimulation, emotion regulation, emotion reappraisal, negative image, emotional valence, heart rate, RR interval, cognitive control, non-invasive neuromodulation
MeSH terms
Adult, Emotions, Humans, Prefrontal Cortex, Young Adult, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-29.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-29.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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