Several neuroimaging studies have shown that a distributed network of brain regions is involved in our ability to appraise the emotions we experience in daily life. In particular, scholars suggested that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) may play a role in the appraisal of emotional stimuli together with subcortical regions, especially when stimuli are negatively valenced, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) may play a role in regulating emotions. However, proofs of the causal role of these regions are lacking. In the present study, we aim at testing this model by stimulating both the dACC and the left dlPFC via cathodal tDCS. Twenty-four participants were asked to attend and rate the arousal and valence of negative and neutral emotional stimuli (pictures and words) in three different experimental sessions: cathodal stimulation of dACC, left dlPFC, or sham. In addition to the experimental task, the baseline affective state was measured before and after the stimulation to further assess the effect of stimulation over the baseline affective state after the experimental session. Results showed that cathodal stimulation of dACC, but not the left dlPFC, was associated with reduced arousal ratings of emotional stimuli, both compared with the sham condition. Moreover, cathodal stimulation of left dlPFC decreased participant’s positive affective state after the session. These findings suggest for the first time, a dissociation between the dACC and dlPFC, with the former more involved in emotion appraisal, and the latter more involved in mood modulation.

Dissociating the role of dACC and dlPFC for emotion appraisal and mood regulation using cathodal tDCS / Piretti, L.; Pappaianni, E.; Gobbo, S.; Rumiati, R. I.; Job, R.; Grecucci, A.. - In: COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE. - ISSN 1530-7026. - 22:(2022), pp. 304-315. [10.3758/s13415-021-00952-3]

Dissociating the role of dACC and dlPFC for emotion appraisal and mood regulation using cathodal tDCS

Piretti, L.
Membro del Collaboration group
;
Rumiati, R. I.
Membro del Collaboration group
;
Grecucci, A.
Supervision
2022-01-01

Abstract

Several neuroimaging studies have shown that a distributed network of brain regions is involved in our ability to appraise the emotions we experience in daily life. In particular, scholars suggested that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) may play a role in the appraisal of emotional stimuli together with subcortical regions, especially when stimuli are negatively valenced, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) may play a role in regulating emotions. However, proofs of the causal role of these regions are lacking. In the present study, we aim at testing this model by stimulating both the dACC and the left dlPFC via cathodal tDCS. Twenty-four participants were asked to attend and rate the arousal and valence of negative and neutral emotional stimuli (pictures and words) in three different experimental sessions: cathodal stimulation of dACC, left dlPFC, or sham. In addition to the experimental task, the baseline affective state was measured before and after the stimulation to further assess the effect of stimulation over the baseline affective state after the experimental session. Results showed that cathodal stimulation of dACC, but not the left dlPFC, was associated with reduced arousal ratings of emotional stimuli, both compared with the sham condition. Moreover, cathodal stimulation of left dlPFC decreased participant’s positive affective state after the session. These findings suggest for the first time, a dissociation between the dACC and dlPFC, with the former more involved in emotion appraisal, and the latter more involved in mood modulation.
2022
22
304
315
Piretti, L.; Pappaianni, E.; Gobbo, S.; Rumiati, R. I.; Job, R.; Grecucci, A.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Piretti2021_Article_DissociatingTheRoleOfDACCAndDl.pdf

non disponibili

Descrizione: Articolo Principale
Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Tutti i diritti riservati (All rights reserved)
Dimensione 784.41 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
784.41 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11767/127811
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 5
  • Scopus 5
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 5
social impact