title: Modulation of attention functions by anodal tDCS on right PPC.
abstract: Attention is a complex construct that comprises at least three major subcomponents: alerting, spatial (re-)orienting, and executive functions, all of which have specific neural correlates along frontoparietal networks. Attention deficits are a common consequence of brain damage. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate spatial attention. We investigated whether tDCS of different stimulation targets differentially modulates alerting, spatial (re-)orienting, and executive functions. Twenty-four healthy participants were included in this randomized, double-blinded study, which employed a within-subject design. On four different days, the effects of 1.5 mA anodal tDCS (real and sham) on the left dorsolateral (EEG 10-20 point F3), left parietal (P3) and right parietal cortex (P4) were assessed using a modified attention network test. tDCS of the right parietal cortex enhanced spatial re-orienting, while tDCS of the other cortical targets did not modulate the assessed attention functions. With regard to visual field asymmetries in attentional processing, right parietal tDCS selectively enhanced mean network efficiency for targets presented in the contralateral left visual field. The observed visual field specific tDCS effects on reorienting suggest that systematic investigations into novel approaches for the treatment of patients suffering from spatial neglect patients are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Lucia B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: HELIOS Clinic Holthausen, Clinic for Neurological and Neurosurgical Rehabilitation, Hattingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sparing
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Gereon R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: m.hesse@fz-juelich.de.
authors.forename: Maike D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hesse
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
keywords: Lateralized attention network test; Posterior parietal cortex; Spatial attention; Transcranial direct current stimulation; Visual field asymmetries