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Modulating Cognition Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Cerebellum

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tDCS augments decision-making efficiency in an intensity dependent manner: A training study.

Shane E Ehrhardt¹, Timothy Ballard¹, Yohan Wards¹

¹School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.

Neuropsychologia

|October 22, 2022

Summary

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) intensity non-linearly affects cognitive training. Optimal tDCS intensity enhances decision-making efficiency on trained tasks and improves performance on untrained tasks.

Keywords:

Cognitive training Decision-making Intensity (dosage)Linear ballistic accumulator tDCS

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Last Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Modulating Cognition Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Cerebellum

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Published on: February 15, 2015

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Simultaneous Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Simultaneous Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: April 27, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Computational Neuroscience

Background:

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance cognitive training outcomes.
Stimulation intensity's role in modulating cognitive processing for training and transfer effects remains unclear.
Decision-making modeling provides a framework to investigate these effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how tDCS intensity influences cognitive processes underlying decision-making performance.
To examine the impact of different tDCS intensities on trained and untrained task performance.
To understand the non-linear relationship between tDCS intensity and cognitive training outcomes.

Main Methods:

Applied decision-making modeling using the linear ballistic accumulator framework.
Recruited 123 participants assigned to sham, 0.7 mA, 1.0 mA, or 2.0 mA tDCS groups.
Participants underwent four training sessions with concurrent tDCS delivery.

Main Results:

0.7 mA and 1.0 mA tDCS intensities yielded the greatest improvements in decision-making efficiency (drift rates) on the trained task compared to sham or 2.0 mA.
An inverted U-shaped function was observed between tDCS intensity and trained task performance.
1.0 mA and 2.0 mA tDCS intensities enhanced performance on an untrained transfer task.

Conclusions:

tDCS intensity non-linearly modulates cognitive processes related to decision-making efficiency.
Both sub-optimal (low or no) and supra-optimal (high) stimulation intensities can be detrimental to trained task performance.
Specific tDCS intensities can facilitate transfer effects to untrained tasks.