Accelerated Anodal tDCS over Right Inferior Frontal Gyrus Improves Inhibitory Control Across Repeated Sessions:...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• The right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) is crucial for inhibitory control.
• Non-invasive brain stimulation, like tDCS, is a promising tool for targeting the rIFG.
• Cumulative effects of accelerated tDCS protocols on inhibitory control are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cumulative improvements in response inhibition using an accelerated anodal tDCS protocol over the rIFG.
• To assess the sham-controlled effects of repeated tDCS sessions within a single day.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two healthy participants received three tDCS sessions on the same day.
• Inhibitory control was measured using the Stop-Signal task.
• Stop-Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) and error rates were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models.

Main Results:

• A significant time effect and stimulation-by-time interaction were observed.
• Progressive reduction in SSRT indicated improved inhibitory control with increased stimulation sessions.
• Performance on inhibitory control tasks improved across the accelerated tDCS protocol.

Conclusions:

• Accelerated anodal tDCS over the rIFG can induce cumulative short-term improvements in inhibitory control.
• The rIFG is a relevant target for neuromodulation.
• Interindividual variability and translational protocols are important considerations.