TMS to preSMA, but not rIFG, impacts strategy use in multi-attribute choice
Magdalena Witkowska1, Jakub Cacek2, Justyna Hobot3
1Chair of Neurology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School in Social Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
Neuropsychologia
|May 1, 2026
Summary
Inhibiting the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) enhances adaptive decision-making strategies, especially for those open to uncertainty. This research explores cognitive control in choice processes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Decision Science
Background:
- Normative choice theories favor rational strategies, contrasting with bounded rationality models suggesting heuristic use.
- Decision-making flexibility may rely on response inhibition, potentially involving the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) and right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal role of preSMA and rIFG in modulating decision-making strategies.
- To examine how inhibiting these brain regions affects the use of deliberative versus heuristic strategies.
- To assess the moderating effect of Need for Closure (NFC) on these processes.
Main Methods:
- A within-subject design using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), specifically continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS), applied to preSMA, rIFG, or a control site.
- Participants performed a multi-attribute probabilistic inference task in compensatory and noncompensatory environments.
- Need for Closure (NFC) was measured to evaluate its role as a moderator.
Main Results:
- cTBS to preSMA selectively altered strategy use, promoting complex strategies in compensatory environments and heuristics in noncompensatory ones.
- These effects were most pronounced in individuals with low to moderate NFC scores, particularly on the Closed-mindedness facet.
- No significant effects were observed after cTBS to the rIFG.
Conclusions:
- Inhibiting preSMA appears to enhance the adaptivity of choice processes, particularly in individuals less resistant to uncertainty.
- These findings highlight the preSMA's crucial role in flexible cognitive control during complex decision-making.
- The right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) does not seem to play a similar role in modulating these specific decision strategies.
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