Abstract
In this study, we tested the effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on two set shifting tasks. Set shifting ability is defined as the capacity to switch between mental sets or actions and requires the activation of a distributed neural network. Thirty healthy subjects (fifteen per site) received anodal, cathodal and sham stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or the primary motor cortex (M1). We measured set shifting in both cognitive and motor tasks. The results show that both anodal and cathodal single session tDCS can modulate cognitive and motor tasks. However, an interaction was found between task and type of stimulation as anodal tDCS of DLPFC and M1 was found to increase performance in the cognitive task, while cathodal tDCS of DLPFC and M1 had the opposite effect on the motor task. Additionally, tDCS effects seem to be most evident on the speed of changing sets, rather than on reducing the number of errors or increasing the efficacy of irrelevant set filtering.
Highlights
The capacity for shifting cognitive processes, such as shifting attention, learning or adapting to new environmental changes, is one of the most distinctive human abilities
Set shifting ability may be defined as the capacity to switch between sets while the goal is maintained [2], or the capacity to move back and forth between mental sets or tasks [3]
Because of the limited power of this study to conduct a model including all the factors, we show an additional exploratory analysis at the end of this section testing the interaction between task and the polarity of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Summary
The capacity for shifting cognitive processes, such as shifting attention, learning or adapting to new environmental changes, is one of the most distinctive human abilities. Set is defined as the property of the stimulus that is relevant for the task [1], namely color, shape or the specific motor sequence that the participant has to sequentially reproduce (A or B). Set shifting ability may be defined as the capacity to switch between sets (e.g. from color to shape in two consecutive trials in the cognitive task, or from A to B in the motor sequence task) while the goal is maintained [2], or the capacity to move back and forth between mental sets or tasks [3]. Set shifting has been associated with executive control [4], involving processes such as planning, goal-directed behavior, and cognitive flexibility [5]. Impairments in set shifting have been shown in patients with damage to the prefrontal cortex [4,8,9], in the left hemisphere [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
