scholarly journals Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Temporoparietal Junction and Inferior Frontal Cortex Improves Imitation-Inhibition and Perspective-Taking with no Effect on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient Score

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Nobusako ◽  
Yuki Nishi ◽  
Yuki Nishi ◽  
Takashi Shuto ◽  
Daiki Asano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frontal Cortex ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Imitation Inhibition ◽  
Stimulation Of

scholarly journals The right temporoparietal junction is causally associated with embodied perspective taking

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Martin ◽  
K. Kessler ◽  
S. Cooke ◽  
J. Huang ◽  
M. Meinzer
Keyword(s):  
Social Functioning ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Causal Role ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Right Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
The Right

Several theories exist pertaining to the role of the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) in social cognition. A prominent theory claims the rTPJ is especially associated with embodied processes. In the present study we use high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to provide evidence that the rTPJ is causally associated with the embodied processes underpinning perspective taking. Eighty-eight young human adults were stratified to receive either rTPJ or dorsomedial prefrontal (dmPFC) anodal HD-tDCS in a sham-controlled, double-blind, repeated-measures design. Perspective tracking (line-of-sight) and perspective taking (embodied rotation) were assessed using a visuo-spatial perspective taking (VPT) task that required understanding what another person could see or how they see it, respectively. Embodied processing was manipulated by positioning the participant in a manner congruent or incongruent with the orientation of an avatar on the screen. As perspective taking, but not perspective tracking, is influenced by bodily posture, this allows the investigation of the specific causal role for the rTPJ in embodied processing. Crucially, anodal stimulation to the rTPJ increased the effect of bodily posture during perspective taking, whereas no such effects were identified during perspective tracking, thereby providing evidence for a causal role for the rTPJ in the embodied component of perspective taking. Stimulation to the dmPFC had no effect on perspective tracking or taking. Therefore, the present study provides support for theories postulating that the rTPJ is causally involved in embodied cognitive processing relevant to social functioning.Significance StatementThe ability to understand another’s perspective is a fundamental component of social functioning. Adopting another perspective is thought to involve both embodied and non-embodied processes. The present study used high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and provided causal evidence that the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) is involved specifically in the embodied component of perspective taking. Specifically, HD-tDCS to the rTPJ, but not another hub of the social brain (dmPFC), increased the effect of body posture during perspective taking, but not tracking. This is the first causal evidence that HD-tDCS can modulate social embodied processing in a site-specific and task-specific manner.

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