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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Targeting the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Reduces Reactive Aggression and
Carmen S Sergiou1, Emiliano Santarnecchi2, Sara M Romanella2
1Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Summary
High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) reduced aggression and reactive aggression in forensic patients with substance dependence. This intervention also modulated electrophysiological responses, showing promise for forensic mental health care.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Ventromedial prefrontal cortex impairments are linked to violent behavior in forensic patients with substance abuse.
- Current interventions for violence risk reduction in these patients are suboptimal.
- High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) shows potential for modulating brain activity and reducing aggression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HD-tDCS as an intervention to enhance empathy and decrease violent behavior in forensic substance-dependent offenders.
- To examine the effects of HD-tDCS on electrophysiological responses, specifically P3 and late positive potential (LPP), in reaction to aggression-related stimuli.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study involving 50 male forensic patients with substance dependence.
- Patients received HD-tDCS twice daily for 20 minutes over 5 consecutive days.
- Assessments included self-reports, the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm, and electroencephalography (EEG) during an empathy task.
Main Results:
- The active HD-tDCS group showed a significant decrease in aggressive responses on the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm.
- Self-reported reactive aggression was also reduced in the active HD-tDCS group.
- A general increase in late positive potential (LPP) amplitude was observed after active HD-tDCS, while no effects on trait empathy or P3 were found.
Conclusions:
- HD-tDCS demonstrates positive effects in reducing aggression and modulating electrophysiological responses in forensic patients.
- These findings highlight the potential of HD-tDCS as an effective intervention for aggression reduction in forensic mental health care.
- This study provides the first evidence for HD-tDCS efficacy in this patient population.
