Causal evidence for task-specific involvement of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex in human social cognition.

ABSTRACT: The dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) is a key hub of the 'social brain', but little is known about specific processes supported by this region. Using focal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and a social cognitive battery with differing demands on self-other processing, we demonstrate specific involvement of the dmPFC in tasks placing high demands on self-other processing. Specifically, excitatory (anodal) HD-tDCS enhanced the integration of external information into the self for explicit higher-order socio-cognitive tasks across cognitive domains; i.e. visual perspective taking (VPT) and episodic memory. These effects were task specific, as no stimulation effects were found for attributing mental states from the eyes or implicit VPT. Inhibitory (cathoda

SUBMITTER: Martin AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5597860 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature