Effects of Theta Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Over the Frontal Cortex on Reversal Learning
Miles Wischnewski1, Paul Zerr1, Dennis J L G Schutter1
1Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Background:
Theta oscillations in the electroencephalogram (EEG) are associated with learning and behavioral adaptation.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of theta transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applied to the frontal cortex on reversal learning.
Methods:
Healthy volunteers participated in a sham-controlled between subjects design. TACS at 1 mA peak-to-peak was administered during a reward-punishment reversal learning task. Resting state EEG was measured before and after tACS and the task.
Results:
Active tACS improved learning ability, but at the same time interfered with applying the rule to optimize behavior. Furthermore, a significant decrease in frontal theta-beta EEG ratios was observed following active tACS.
Conclusions:
Results provide behavioral and electrophysiological evidence for influencing reversal learning with exogenous oscillatory electric field potentials applied to the frontal cortex.
