title: Non-invasive brain stimulation targeting the right fusiform gyrus selectively increases working memory for faces.
abstract: The human extrastriate cortex contains a region critically involved in face detection and memory, the right fusiform gyrus. The present study evaluated whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting this anatomical region would selectively influence memory for faces versus non-face objects (houses). Anodal tDCS targeted the right fusiform gyrus (Brodmann's Area 37), with the anode at electrode site PO10, and cathode at FP2. Two stimulation conditions were compared in a repeated-measures design: 0.5mA versus 1.5mA intensity; a separate control group received no stimulation. Participants completed a working memory task for face and house stimuli, varying in memory load from 1 to 4 items. Individual differences measures assessed trait-based differences in facial recognition skills. Results showed 1.5mA intensity stimulation (versus 0.5mA and control) increased performance at high memory loads, but only with faces. Lower overall working memory capacity predicted a positive impact of tDCS. Results provide support for the notion of functional specialization of the right fusiform regions for maintaining face (but not non-face object) stimuli in working memory, and further suggest that low intensity electrical stimulation of this region may enhance demanding face working memory performance particularly in those with relatively poor baseline working memory skills.
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave., Suite 3000, Medford, MA 02155, USA; U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, RDNS-SEW-THC, 15 General Greene Ave, Natick, MA, USA; Tufts University, Department of Psychology, 490 Boston Ave., Medford, MA, USA. Electronic address: tbruny01@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Tad T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Brunyé
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave., Suite 3000, Medford, MA 02155, USA; U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, RDNS-SEW-THC, 15 General Greene Ave, Natick, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave., Suite 3000, Medford, MA 02155, USA; U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, RDNS-SEW-THC, 15 General Greene Ave, Natick, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave., Suite 3000, Medford, MA 02155, USA; U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, RDNS-SEW-THC, 15 General Greene Ave, Natick, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave., Suite 3000, Medford, MA 02155, USA; Tufts University, Department of Psychology, 490 Boston Ave., Medford, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Holly A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000066499:Facial Recognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brain stimulation; Face recognition; Right fusiform gyrus; Working memory