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Effects of PFC tDCS on Cognitive Control, Attention Lapses and Coordinated Neural Activity in the Theta and Alpha Bands

Award Number: R21MH120383
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Attention lapses refer to transient periods of off-task performance characterized by processing delays and errors across a range of cognitive tasks and everyday activities. Attention lapsing is a feature of a number of mental health disorders, including depression, ADHD and schizophrenia. Lapsing contributes significantly to cognitive impairments in these disorders. Here we aim to test a theoretical model in which attention lapses are regulated by the suite of cognitive control functions mediated by the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Increased cognitive control demands on a variety of tasks have been tightly linked to coordinated neural activity in the theta frequency band (4-7 Hz) using electrophysiology (EEG). We hypothesize that stimulation of the PFC will enhance control-related theta activity and attentional control, leading to fewer attention lapses and improved cognitive performance. Attention lapses will be measured both behaviorally and by coordinated neural activity in the alpha frequency band (8-12 Hz). We propose to test these hypotheses using a within-participants, double-blind design that will measure behavioral and EEG theta- and alpha-band measures of cognitive control and attention lapses following active PFC-targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), compared to Sham and Active Control stimulation (targeting occipital cortex, a region not hypothesized to support attentional control). We further propose to test our model of PFC-mediated attentional control by assessing individual differences in tDCS effects, using structural neuroimaging and computational modeling of current flow. This proposal has two specific aims. Aim 1: Test an expanded model of cognitive control by evaluating the impact of PFC-targeted tDCS on frontal theta oscillations (4-7 Hz) related to cognitive control and alpha oscillations (8-12 Hz) related to attention lapses. Aim 2: Test an expanded model of cognitive control using biologically-realistic modeling to assess individual differences in tDCS effects. The proposed work contains several key theoretical and technical innovations, including the conceptualization of attentional control as a PFC-mediated executive function, the use of an active control condition and the focus on the neural underpinnings of attention lapses. This project will provide unique data towards our understanding of how coordinated neural activity in the theta and alpha bands is related to lapsing and the extent to which the electrophysiological patterns supporting attentional control can be modified using non-invasive neurostimulation targeting the prefrontal cognitive control system. This would be of substantial value both to the neurostimulation research community and, as lapsing is a core feature of psychopathology in many psychiatric disorders, to mental health research more broadly.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$10,951 )
2025	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ	1156 HIGH ST	SANTA CRUZ	CA	95064	SANTA CRUZ	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	11/8/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$10,951
														Subtotal = -$10,951

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ	1156 HIGH ST	SANTA CRUZ	CA	95064	SANTA CRUZ	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	6/13/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $195,680 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ	1156 HIGH ST	SANTA CRUZ	CA	95064	SANTA CRUZ	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	2	6/24/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$195,680
2021	2020	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ	1156 HIGH ST	SANTA CRUZ	CA	95064	SANTA CRUZ	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	10/15/2020	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $195,680

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $234,659 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ	1156 HIGH ST	SANTA CRUZ	CA	95064	SANTA CRUZ	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	1	9/23/2020	NEW	-$13,500
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ	1156 HIGH ST	SANTA CRUZ	CA	95064	SANTA CRUZ	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	7/20/2020	NEW	$248,159
														Subtotal = $234,659

Grand Total All Awards = $419,388

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Effects of PFC tDCS on Cognitive Control, Attention Lapses and Coordinated Neural Activity in the Theta and Alpha Bands

Award Number: R21MH120383

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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