The influence of rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on Stroop task performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shows potential for enhancing cognitive functions.
• The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is implicated in executive functions, particularly selective attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of high-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC on Stroop task performance in healthy female volunteers.

Main Methods:

• Healthy female volunteers received high-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC.
• Participants completed the Stroop task before and after stimulation.
• Mood assessments were conducted post-stimulation.

Main Results:

• Reaction times on both congruent and incongruent Stroop trials significantly decreased after rTMS.
• No significant changes were observed in the Stroop interference effect.
• Participant mood remained unaffected by the rTMS intervention.

Conclusions:

• High-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC can enhance selective attention and cognitive processing speed.
• These findings support the role of the left DLPFC in top-down attentional control mechanisms.