Enhancement of selective attention by tDCS: interaction with interference in a Sternberg task

Thomas E Gladwin; Tess E den Uyl; Felipe F Fregni; Reinout W Wiers

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2012.01.056

Enhancement of selective attention by tDCS: interaction with interference in a Sternberg task

Neurosci Lett. 2012 Mar 14;512(1):33-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.01.056. Epub 2012 Feb 2.

Authors

Thomas E Gladwin¹, Tess E den Uyl, Felipe F Fregni, Reinout W Wiers

Affiliation

¹ ADAPT Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.e.gladwin@uva.nl

PMID: 22327036
DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.01.056

Abstract

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) enhances performance on working memory tasks. However, such effects may be dependent on modulation of specific aspects of working memory. We therefore tested the hypothesis that tDCS improves selective attention in the context of a Sternberg task. Subjects had to maintain a memory set while responding to distracter stimuli. Probes consisted of one item from the memory set, and one item that could have been presented as a distracter. TDCS was found to improve reaction time significantly only when the incorrect choice had been a distracter stimulus. The results thus support the notion that tDCS effects on working memory might be mediated by a specific effect on selective attention.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Attention*
Electric Stimulation
Female
Humans
Inhibition, Psychological
Male
Memory, Short-Term*
Young Adult