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. 2008 Aug 4:4:33.
doi: 10.1186/1744-9081-4-33.

Modulating presence and impulsiveness by external stimulation of the brain

Gian Beeli  1 , Gianclaudio Casutt, Thomas Baumgartner, Lutz Jäncke
Affiliations

Modulating presence and impulsiveness by external stimulation of the brain

Gian Beeli et al. Behav Brain Funct. .

Abstract

Background: "The feeling of being there" is one possible way to describe the phenomenon of feeling present in a virtual environment and to act as if this environment is real. One brain area, which is hypothesized to be critically involved in modulating this feeling (also called presence) is the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), an area also associated with the control of impulsive behavior.

Methods: In our experiment we applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the right dlPFC in order to modulate the experience of presence while watching a virtual roller coaster ride. During the ride we also registered electro-dermal activity. Subjects also performed a test measuring impulsiveness and answered a questionnaire about their presence feeling while they were exposed to the virtual roller coaster scenario.

Results: Application of cathodal tDCS to the right dlPFC while subjects were exposed to a virtual roller coaster scenario modulates the electrodermal response to the virtual reality stimulus. In addition, measures reflecting impulsiveness were also modulated by application of cathodal tDCS to the right dlPFC.

Conclusion: Modulating the activation with the right dlPFC results in substantial changes in responses of the vegetative nervous system and changed impulsiveness. The effects can be explained by theories discussing the top-down influence of the right dlPFC on the "impulsive system".

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example still figures of the used rollercoaster scenario. Ascending phase (left, 30 s), dynamic phase (middle, 60 s), end phase (right, 12 s).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Experimental design. Sequence of the different tasks and tDCS applications. The time scale is in seconds. This sequence was repeated three times per subject for the three stimulating conditions (sham, anodal, cathodal).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Number of false alarms (FA) in the different conditions in the Go-Nogo task. Applying cathodal tDCS to the right dlPFC led to an enhanced number of FA (p < .03) compared to sham and anodal-Stimulation. Depicted are means of FA (± SE).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Skin conductance level of the first 30 seconds of the rollercoaster ride. Cathodal tDCS application (inhibition) to the right dlPFC led to an enhanced skin conductance response (SCR).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Peak of skin conductance level (maximum SCL) in the first 12 seconds of the roller coaster ride. Cathodal tDCS application (inhibition of the dlPFC) leads to significantly enhanced maximum SCL (p < .01) during the ascending phase in the virtual roller coaster compared to sham and anodal stimulation. Depicted are means of the SCL (± SE).
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