title: High-Frequency Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation Enhances Perception of Facial Identity.
abstract: Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated the utility of transcranial current stimulation as a tool to facilitate a variety of cognitive and perceptual abilities. Few studies, though, have examined the utility of this approach for the processing of social information. Here, we conducted 2 experiments to explore whether a single session of high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) targeted at lateral occipitotemporal cortices would enhance facial identity perception. In Experiment 1, participants received 20 min of active high-frequency tRNS or sham stimulation prior to completing the tasks examining facial identity perception or trustworthiness perception. Active high-frequency tRNS facilitated facial identity perception, but not trustworthiness perception. Experiment 2 assessed the spatial specificity of this effect by delivering 20 min of active high-frequency tRNS to lateral occipitotemporal cortices or sensorimotor cortices prior to participants completing the same facial identity perception task used in Experiment 1. High-frequency tRNS targeted at lateral occipitotemporal cortices enhanced performance relative to motor cortex stimulation. These findings show that high-frequency tRNS to lateral occipitotemporal cortices produces task-specific and site-specific enhancements in face perception.
authors: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London SE14 6NW, UK.
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Romanska
authors: Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
authors: Constantin
authors: C
authors: Rezlescu
authors: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
authors: Tirta
authors: T
authors: Susilo
authors: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
authors: Bradley
authors: B
authors: Duchaine
authors: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London SE14 6NW, UK.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Banissy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001703:Biophysics; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: brain stimulation; face perception; facial identity; transcranial current stimulation; transcranial random noise stimulation