Using tDCS to Explore the Role of the Right Temporo-Parietal Junction in Theory of Mind and Cognitive Empathy

Frontiers in Psychology

Chao eLiu¹  Zhen eZhen¹  Xiaoqin eMai²  Wenli eZhang²  Xinmu eHu²  Zhenhua eXu²  Jing eZhang² 

[1] Beijing Normal University;Renmin University of China;

关键词: Theory of Mind;    social cognition;    transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS);    cognitive empathy;    temporo-parietal junction (TPJ);   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00380

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ) is thought to be closely related to theory of mind (ToM) and cognitive empathy. In the present study, we investigated whether these socio-cognitive abilities could be modulated with noninvasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the rTPJ. Participants received anodal (excitatory), cathodal (inhibitory), or sham stimulation before performing a social cognitive task which included inferring other’s intention (the ToM condition) and inferring other’s emotion (the cognitive empathy condition). Our results showed that the accuracy of both ToM and cognitive empathy decreased after receiving the cathodal stimulation, suggesting that altering the cortical excitability in the rTPJ could influence human’s socio-cognitive abilities. The results of this study emphasize the critical role of the rTPJ in ToM and cognitive empathy and demonstrate that these socio-cognitive abilities could be modulated by the tDCS.

【 授权许可】

Unknown