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High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Right Lateral Prefrontal Cortex Increases
Haixia Wang1, Hanqi Zhang2,3
1School of Journalism and Communication and National Media Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|August 5, 2021
Summary
This study shows that noninvasive brain stimulation can increase a person's tendency to seek the best. The right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays a causal role in this maximization behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Decision Making
Background:
- Maximization, the tendency to seek the best, is a common human trait.
- Neurobiological underpinnings of maximization remain largely unexplored.
- Understanding decision-making processes is crucial for various psychological and economic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurobiological mechanisms of maximization.
- To determine if high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can modulate maximization tendencies.
- To explore the causal role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in maximization.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-four participants underwent two sessions of either anodal 4x1 HD-tDCS or sham stimulation over the right DLPFC.
- Participants completed the N-back working memory task and the Maximization Scale (MS) post-stimulation.
- Analysis focused on changes in MS scores and working memory performance.
Main Results:
- Anodal HD-tDCS over the right DLPFC significantly increased maximization tendency scores compared to sham stimulation.
- The increase in maximization was primarily driven by enhanced motivation to search for alternatives, not working memory improvement.
- No significant effects on working memory performance were observed.
Conclusions:
- Maximization tendencies can be noninvasively enhanced through targeted brain stimulation.
- The right DLPFC is causally involved in modulating maximization behavior.
- Findings suggest motivational factors, rather than cognitive capacity, are key targets for interventions aimed at influencing maximization.
