The effect of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Iowa Gambling Task: a scoping review
2024

Effects of tDCS on Decision Making in the Iowa Gambling Task

Sample size: 7 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Salice Silvia, Antonietti Alessandro, Colautti Laura

Primary Institution: Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy

Hypothesis

Does tDCS lead to an improvement in risky and ambiguous decision making assessed through the IGT in both healthy population and clinical conditions?

Conclusion

tDCS can enhance decision-making performance in both healthy individuals and patients with gambling disorder, Parkinson's disease, and borderline personality disorder.

Supporting Evidence

  • tDCS can enhance performance in the Iowa Gambling Task.
  • The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex play a crucial role in decision making.
  • tDCS is a safe procedure that can be applied to various populations.
  • Further studies are needed to explore the effects of tDCS on decision making.

Takeaway

This study looked at how a brain stimulation technique called tDCS can help people make better decisions in a card game that involves risk and uncertainty.

Methodology

The existing literature was analyzed through the PRISMA approach.

Potential Biases

Potential biases due to the small number of studies and varying methodologies.

Limitations

Only a few studies investigated the effects of tDCS on the IGT in different samples, and the heterogeneity of research designs limits comparisons.

Participant Demographics

The studies included healthy adults and patients with gambling disorder, Parkinson's disease, and borderline personality disorder, with varying age ranges.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1454796

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