Research output per year
Research output per year
Abstract
Background
Most of our decisions involve a certain degree of risk regarding the outcomes of our choices. People vary in the way they make decisions, resulting in different levels of risk-taking behavior. These differences have been linked to prefrontal theta band activity. However, a direct functional relationship between prefrontal theta band activity and risk-taking has not yet been demonstrated.
Objective
We used noninvasive brain stimulation to test the functional relevance of prefrontal oscillatory theta activity for the regulatory control of risk-taking behavior.
Methods
In a within-subject experiment, 31 healthy participants received theta (6.5 Hertz [Hz]), gamma (40 Hz), and sham transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the left prefrontal cortex (lPFC). During stimulation, participants completed a task assessing their risk-taking behavior as well as response times and sensitivity to value and outcome probabilities. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and immediately after stimulation to investigate possible long-lasting stimulation effects.
Results
Theta band, but not gamma band or sham, tACS led to a significant reduction in risk-taking behavior, indicating a frequency-specific effect of prefrontal brain stimulation on the modulation of risk-taking behavior. Moreover, theta band stimulation led to increased response times and decreased sensitivity to reward values. EEG data analyses did not show an offline increase in power in the stimulated frequencies after the stimulation protocol.
Conclusion
These findings provide direct empirical evidence for the effects of prefrontal theta band stimulation on behavioral risk-taking regulation.
Most of our decisions involve a certain degree of risk regarding the outcomes of our choices. People vary in the way they make decisions, resulting in different levels of risk-taking behavior. These differences have been linked to prefrontal theta band activity. However, a direct functional relationship between prefrontal theta band activity and risk-taking has not yet been demonstrated.
Objective
We used noninvasive brain stimulation to test the functional relevance of prefrontal oscillatory theta activity for the regulatory control of risk-taking behavior.
Methods
In a within-subject experiment, 31 healthy participants received theta (6.5 Hertz [Hz]), gamma (40 Hz), and sham transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the left prefrontal cortex (lPFC). During stimulation, participants completed a task assessing their risk-taking behavior as well as response times and sensitivity to value and outcome probabilities. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and immediately after stimulation to investigate possible long-lasting stimulation effects.
Results
Theta band, but not gamma band or sham, tACS led to a significant reduction in risk-taking behavior, indicating a frequency-specific effect of prefrontal brain stimulation on the modulation of risk-taking behavior. Moreover, theta band stimulation led to increased response times and decreased sensitivity to reward values. EEG data analyses did not show an offline increase in power in the stimulated frequencies after the stimulation protocol.
Conclusion
These findings provide direct empirical evidence for the effects of prefrontal theta band stimulation on behavioral risk-taking regulation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 147365 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Brain Research |
| Volume | 1759 |
| Early online date | 12 Feb 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 May 2021 |
JEL classifications
- d87 - Neuroeconomics
Keywords
- Decision neuroscience
- Risk-taking behavior
- Theta activity
- Theta frequency
- decision neuroscience
- risk-taking behavior
- tACS
- theta activity
- theta frequency
- DIRECT-CURRENT STIMULATION
- EEG
- TDCS
- NORMAL VOLUNTEERS
- LEVEL
- COGNITION
- IMPULSIVITY
- DECISION-MAKING
- RIGHT PREFRONTAL CORTEX
- MODULATION
- NEUROMODULATION
Research output
- 3 Poster
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Disruption of frontal asymmetry using tACS to modulate risk-taking behavior
Elias Caldeira Dantas, A., Sack, A. T., Schuhmann, T., Jiao, P. & Brüggen, E., 15 May 2021.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic
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Disruption of frontal asymmetry using tACS to modulate risk-taking behavior
Elias Caldeira Dantas, A., Sack, A. T. & Schuhmann, T., 15 May 2021.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic
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Risk-taking behavior modulation using tACS
Elias Caldeira Dantas, A., Brüggen, E., Sack, A. T., Jiao, P. & Schuhmann, T., 15 May 2021.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic
Prizes
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Best abstract
Elias Caldeira Dantas, Aline (Recipient), 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards) › Academic
Activities
- 1 Talk or presentation - at conference
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Risk-taking behavior modulation using tACS
Aline Elias Caldeira Dantas (Speaker)
4 Apr 2020Activity: Talk or presentation / Performance / Speeches › Talk or presentation - at conference › Academic