Modulating risk-taking behavior with theta-band tACS

Aline M Dantas; Alexander T Sack; Elisabeth Bruggen; Peiran Jiao; Teresa Schuhmann

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120422

Modulating risk-taking behavior with theta-band tACS

Neuroimage. 2023 Dec 1:283:120422. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120422. Epub 2023 Oct 24.

Authors

Aline M Dantas¹, Alexander T Sack², Elisabeth Bruggen³, Peiran Jiao⁴, Teresa Schuhmann⁵

Affiliations

¹ Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University. Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center, Maastricht University. Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health, and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Brain+Nerve Center, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+). P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: a.dantas@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
² Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University. Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center, Maastricht University. Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health, and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Brain+Nerve Center, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+). P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
³ Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University. P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands; BISS - Brightlands Institute for Smart Society, Maastricht University, Heerlen, the Netherlands; Netspar - Network for Studies on Pension, Aging and Retirement.
⁴ Department of Finance, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University. P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
⁵ Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University. Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center, Maastricht University. Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

PMID: 37884165
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120422

Abstract

Although risk is prevalent in decision-making, the specific neural processes underlying risk-taking behavior remain unclear. Previous studies have suggested that frontal theta-band activity plays a crucial role in modulating risk-taking behavior. The functional relevance of theta in risk-taking behavior is yet to be clearly established and studies using noninvasive brain stimulation have yielded inconsistent findings. We aimed to investigate this relevance using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over right or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). We also studied the influence of stimulation intensity on risk-taking behavior and electrophysiological effects. We applied theta-band (6.5 Hz) tACS over the left (F3) and right (F4) DLPFC with lower (1.5 mA) and higher (3 mA) tACS intensities. We employed a single-blinded, sham-controlled, within-subject design and combined tACS with electroencephalography (EEG) measurements and the Maastricht Gambling Task (MGT) to elicit and evaluate risk-taking behavior. Our results show an increase in risk-taking behavior after left DLPFC stimulation at both intensities and a reduction of risk-taking behavior after 3 mA (and not 1.5 mA) right DLPFC stimulation compared to sham. Further analyses showed a negative correlation between resting-state frontal theta-power and risk-taking behavior. Overall, frontal theta-power was increased after left, but not right, theta-band tACS independent of stimulation intensity. Our findings confirm the functional relevance of frontal theta-band activity in decision-making under risk and the differential role of left and right DLPFC. We also were able to show that stimulation intensity did have an effect on behavioral responses, namely risk-taking behavior. Significant right hemisphere stimulation effects were observed only after high-intensity stimulation. Nevertheless, electrophysiological effects were only significant after left DLPFC stimulation, regardless of tACS intensity. Furthermore, the results indicate the role of the baseline frontal theta-power in the direction of behavioral effects after theta-band tACS.

Keywords: Decision neuroscience; Risk-taking behavior; Theta frequency; Theta-band activity; tACS.

Publication types

Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

Electroencephalography / methods
Humans
Risk-Taking
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation* / methods