Abstract
The prefrontal cortex is central to higher order cognitive function. However, the cerebellum, generally thought to be involved in motor control and learning, has also been implicated in higher order cognition. Recent work using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) provides some support for right cerebellar involvement in higher order cognition, though the results are mixed, and often contradictory. Here, we used cathodal high definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) over the right cerebellum to assess the impact of HD-tDCS on modulating cognitive performance. We predicted that stimulation would result in performance decreases, which would suggest that optimal cerebellar function is necessary for cognitive performance, much like the prefrontal cortex. That is, it is not simply a structure that lends support to complete difficult tasks. While the expected cognitive behavioral effects were present, we did not find effects of stimulation. This has broad implications for cerebellar tDCS research, particularly for those who are interested in using HD-tDCS as a way of examining cerebellar function. Further implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed with particular emphasis on why null findings might be critical in developing a clear picture of the effects of tDCS on the cerebellum.
Highlights
In recent decades there has been an increase in work investigating the cerebellum in nonmotor function
Evidence suggests that cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has modulated task performance in several cognitive domains [2,3], though results have been mixed, possibly due to variability in methodologies, and stimulation approaches that may not be optimal for targeting the cerebellum
The literature implicating the cerebellum in higher-order cognition is growing, though the vast majority of this work has been correlational in nature due to the limitations of fMRI and resting state connectivity
Summary
In recent decades there has been an increase in work investigating the cerebellum in nonmotor function (for a review see [1]). The application of non-invasive neuromodulation such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has made it possible to better understand non-motor functions of the cerebellum. This technique is especially informative, as one is able to increase or decrease the influence of cerebellar behavior to investigate the relative necessity of the cerebellum in task performance. Evidence suggests that cerebellar tDCS has modulated task performance in several cognitive domains [2,3], though results have been mixed, possibly due to variability in methodologies, and stimulation approaches that may not be optimal for targeting the cerebellum.
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