title: The influence of rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on Stroop task performance.
abstract: Several studies have demonstrated that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve cognitive processing. Neuroimaging studies have shown the engagement of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in executive functioning, and more specifically during selective attention. In the present study, the influence of high-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC on Stroop task performance in healthy female volunteers was investigated. As expected, reaction time on both the incongruent and congruent trials decreased significantly after stimulation, and there was no difference with regard to the Stroop interference effect. Mood remained unchanged after rTMS. Such a pattern is consistent with the role of the left DLPFC in implementing top-down attentional control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. MarieAnne.Vanderhasselt@UGent.be
authors.forename: Marie-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vanderhasselt
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Raedt
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baeken
authors.forename: Lemke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leyman
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: D'haenen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation