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Modulating risky decision-making in Parkinson's disease by transcranial direct current stimulation.
A Benussi1, A Alberici1, V Cantoni1,2
1Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
European Journal of Neurology
|March 16, 2017
Summary
Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improved gambling task performance in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. This suggests tDCS may modulate impulsive decision-making in PD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) patients on dopamine replacement therapy are at risk for pathological gambling.
- Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying gambling behavior in PD is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on gambling task performance in PD patients.
- To explore the role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in modulating gambling behavior.
Main Methods:
- Twenty PD patients performed the Iowa Gambling Task under three conditions: cathodal tDCS over right DLPFC, anodal tDCS over right DLPFC, and sham stimulation.
- Behavioral performance on the gambling task was assessed for each condition.
Main Results:
- Cathodal tDCS over the right DLPFC significantly increased Iowa Gambling Task scores compared to sham stimulation.
- No significant differences in gambling task performance were observed between anodal tDCS and sham stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Cathodal tDCS applied to the right DLPFC may reduce pathological overactivity in frontostriatal networks in PD patients.
- This modulation of neural activity could lead to improved decision-making, reducing impulsive and risky gambling behaviors.
