Stimulating the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) modulates frustration-induced aggression: A tDCS experiment
Alessia Gallucci1, Paolo Riva1, Leonor J Romero Lauro1
1University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
Brain Stimulation
|November 3, 2019
Summary
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) increased aggression after frustration. This stimulation also equalized aggression levels between males and females.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- The prefrontal cortex regulates aggression, but its neural mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) can modulate aggression, but its effect on frustration-induced aggression is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if anodal tDCS over the VLPFC modulates frustration-induced aggression.
- To explore the interaction between tDCS, gender, and frustration-induced aggression.
Main Methods:
- 90 healthy participants (45 males) received anodal or sham tDCS over the left or right VLPFC.
- Participants were then frustrated by an accomplice.
- Aggression was measured using multiple tasks.
Main Results:
- Anodal tDCS over the left VLPFC increased aggression compared to sham stimulation.
- No significant effect of right VLPFC tDCS on aggression was observed.
- A gender interaction revealed males were more aggressive than females post-sham, but females matched male aggression levels post-tDCS.
Conclusions:
- The VLPFC plays a role in modulating frustration-induced aggression.
- tDCS over the left VLPFC influences aggression, particularly in females, suggesting a role in gender differences in aggression.
