title: Prefrontal oscillatory stimulation modulates access to cognitive control references in retrospective metacognitive commentary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We intended to examine how theta-rhythm transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) (versus sham non-active stimulation) modulated associations between working memory accuracy and later retrospective self-evaluation scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy participants were required to complete a verbal working memory task while receiving tACS bilaterally over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) versus sham DLPFC stimulation. After completion of the online and post-stimulation working memory tasks, participants were asked to rate the level of success-confidence on the two preceding working memory tasks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As expected, online working memory accuracy was improved in the active bilateral DLPFC condition versus sham stimulation. Importantly, this working memory enhancement was related to post-stimulation self-evaluation scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Theoretically, our findings indicated that cognitive-control representations (e.g., working memory accuracy) could serve as the optimal frame of reference for later retrospective metacognitive judgments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Noninvasive application of bi-frontal oscillatory currents might enhance functional connectivity between prefrontal regulatory components of working memory and retrospective monitoring in humans. Importantly, along with recent electrophysiological finding indicating interaction of tACS with ongoing oscillatory activity, our preliminary findings support the feasibility of utilizing tACS to treat theta-rhythm functional disconnectivity and related cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. Electronic address: neuron.o.d.m@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oded
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Meiron
authors.affiliation: The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Psychology, University of Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavidor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013826:Theta Rhythm; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Functional connectivity; Lateral prefrontal cortex; Metacognitive awareness; Theta rhythm