Work

Stimulating the posterior parietal cortex reduces self-reported risk-taking propensity in people with tobacco use disorder

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Previous research has identified a replicable role for the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in risk behaviors, but a causal relationship between the two has not been established. Here, we used a targeted neuromodulation protocol leveraging a single-session of 10-Hz rTMS to the PPC, versus three other candidate/control regions (within-person, randomized order) to examine changes in a comprehensive measure of risk-taking propensity (the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking or DOSPERT scale) before and after stimulation. Individuals with tobacco use disorder were selected as sample participants who present with clinically-relevant risk-taking propensity (N=50; 14 women, mean [SE] age= 33.1 [1.04] years). Results indicated that stimulating the PPC selectively reduced risk-taking propensity (P<0.001). This effect was domain general, and potentially driven by changes in risk perception rather than perceptions of expected benefits of risk-taking. These findings support a possible causal role of the PPC in global risk-taking that could be targeted for therapeutic indications in conditions like tobacco use disorder.

Source: Addiction Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2024.100160

Authors: Francesca M. LoFaro, Timothy Jordan, Michael R. Apostol, Vaughn R. Steele, Anna B. Konova, Nicole Petersen

Institutions: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, University of California, Los Angeles, Yale University

Language: English

Topic: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,500