Modulation of attention functions by anodal tDCS on right PPC

• Published in: Neuropsychologia Vol. 74; pp. 96 - 107
• Main Authors: Roy, Lucia B., Sparing, Roland, Fink, Gereon R., Hesse, Maike D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2015
• Subjects: Attention - physiology; Cognition - physiology; Humans; Lateralized attention network test; Mental Disorders - therapy; Parietal Lobe - physiology; Posterior parietal cortex; Spatial attention; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Visual field asymmetries; Visual field asymmetries; Lateralized attention network test; Transcranial direct current stimulation; Posterior parietal cortex; Spatial attention
• ISSN: 0028-3932; 1873-3514; 1873-3514
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.02.028

Attention is a complex construct that comprises at least three major subcomponents: alerting, spatial (re-)orienting, and executive functions, all of which have specific neural correlates along frontoparietal networks. Attention deficits are a common consequence of brain damage. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate spatial attention. We investigated whether tDCS of different stimulation targets differentially modulates alerting, spatial (re-)orienting, and executive functions. Twenty-four healthy participants were included in this randomized, double-blinded study, which employed a within-subject design. On four different days, the effects of 1.5mA anodal tDCS (real and sham) on the left dorsolateral (EEG 10–20 point F3), left parietal (P3) and right parietal cortex (P4) were assessed using a modified attention network test. tDCS of the right parietal cortex enhanced spatial re-orienting, while tDCS of the other cortical targets did not modulate the assessed attention functions. With regard to visual field asymmetries in attentional processing, right parietal tDCS selectively enhanced mean network efficiency for targets presented in the contralateral left visual field. The observed visual field specific tDCS effects on reorienting suggest that systematic investigations into novel approaches for the treatment of patients suffering from spatial neglect patients are warranted. •anodal tDCS (atDCS) at 1.5mA on right PPC improved spatial reorientation.•right PPC atDCS affected attention to visual hemifields differentially.•atDCS on left PPC or left DLPFC did not modulate any assessed attention function.•no tDCS effects were observed on alertness or executive attention.