Enhancing reappraisal of negative emotional memories with transcranial direct current stimulation

Abstract

Reappraisal of negative memories and experiences is central for mental health and well-being. Deficiency of reappraisal lies at the core of many psychiatric disorders and is a key target for treatment. Here we apply transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance reappraisal of negative emotional memories. In a randomised, sham-controlled, 2 × 2 between-subject and double-blinded study, we applied single sessions of anodal and sham tDCS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of 101 healthy participants while reappraising a personal negative memory or engaging in a control task. We hypothesised that (i) reappraisal decreases negative valence, arousal and evaluations of the memory and leads to improved decision making, and (ii) tDCS leads to additional changes in these reappraisal outcomes. In line with these hypotheses, participants’ personal memories were rated as less negative and less arousing following reappraisal. Anodal tDCS during reappraisal was associated with significant short-term reductions in negative valence compared to sham stimulation. Our results indicate that tDCS may enhance some of the effects of reappraisal. If replicated, our findings suggest potential benefits elicited by tDCS stimulation that may help optimise current treatment approaches for psychiatric disorders.

The Effect of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation on the Downregulation of Negative Emotions: A Meta-Analysis

“…Amongst them, we did not receive a response from the corresponding author about the missing data in one study [ 43 ], and the authors of other study were unable to provide data until three months later due to isolation [ 69 ]. Finally, 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Each of included studies had the condition of downregulate negative emotions in study procedure, but two of them did not have the condition of maintenance of negative emotions [ 53 , 77 ].…”

“…Finally, 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Each of included studies had the condition of downregulate negative emotions in study procedure, but two of them did not have the condition of maintenance of negative emotions [ 53 , 77 ].…”

“…In addition, 150 of the participants had a psychiatric disorder, including 39 with AUD, 39 with depression, 33 with internet gaming disorder, and 39 with OCD, while the other participants were healthy. Four studies used HF-rTMS [ 47 , 51 , 52 , 70 ], of which one study used LF-rTMS also [ 52 ], one study used single-pulse TMS [ 48 ], one study used cTBS [ 49 ], and 11 studies used tDCS [ 50 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Materials from the above studies included pictures or emotional stimulus which only induced negative emotions.…”

“…Materials from the above studies included pictures or emotional stimulus which only induced negative emotions. Amongst them, including specific negative emotions such as social pain [ 47 , 50 , 70 , 71 ], fear [ 52 ], disgust [ 72 ] and negative emotional memories [ 77 ]. Other study characteristics can be found in Table 1 and Table 2 .…”

“… Results of the meta-analyses for overall NIBS studies. (a–d) Different effect sizes from the same study [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. …”