Modulating and enhancing cognition using brain stimulation: Science and fiction

Kadosh, Roi Cohen

doi:10.1080/20445911.2014.996569

Cited by 26 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 154 publications

(197 reference statements)

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“…A promising approach to investigating a 5 potential causal relationship between somatosensory alpha activity and pain experience is the application of transcranial alternating current stimulation at alpha frequency (alpha tACS) to modulate alpha activity 21,22 . TACS is used to directly modulate oscillatory neural activity in a frequency-specific manner 9,22 . During the application of tACS at a certain frequency neural activity at this particular frequency synchronizes with the tACS signal, reflecting neural entrainment (online effect of tACS) 8,51,55 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation at Alpha Frequency Reduces Pain When the Intensity of Pain is Uncertain

Arendsen

Hugh‐Jones

Lloyd

2018

The Journal of Pain

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation at Alpha Frequency Reduces Pain When the Intensity of Pain is Uncertain

Arendsen

Hugh‐Jones

Lloyd

2018

The Journal of Pain

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“…We localized our target region using the 10-20 EEG system cap. Though this is a rather crude localization measurement, it was widely used in tDCS research and is very likely to select the target area, definitely when the poor spatial resolution of tDCS is considered (Cohen Kadosh, 2015). We must, however, note that this study does not provide evidence that this effect is specific to stimulation of the LO region.…”

Section: Effect Of Tdcs On Lomentioning

confidence: 77%

Effect of tDCS on task relevant and irrelevant perceptual learning of complex objects

et al. 2016

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During perceptual learning the visual representations in the brain are altered, but these changes' causal role has not yet been fully characterized. We used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to investigate the role of higher visual regions in lateral occipital cortex (LO) in perceptual learning with complex objects. We also investigated whether object learning is dependent on the relevance of the objects for the learning task. Participants were trained in two tasks: object recognition using a backward masking paradigm and an orientation judgment task. During both tasks, an object with a red line on top of it were presented in each trial. The crucial difference between both tasks was the relevance of the object: the object was relevant for the object recognition task, but not for the orientation judgment task. During training, half of the participants received anodal tDCS stimulation targeted at the lateral occipital cortex (LO). Afterwards, participants were tested on how well they recognized the trained objects, the irrelevant objects presented during the orientation judgment task and a set of completely new objects. Participants stimulated with tDCS during training showed larger improvements of performance compared to participants in the sham condition. No learning effect was found for the objects presented during the orientation judgment task. To conclude, this study suggests a causal role of LO in relevant object learning, but given the rather low spatial resolution of tDCS, more research on the specificity of this effect is needed. Further, mere exposure is not sufficient to train object recognition in our paradigm.

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“…The validation of this model is necessary because it would bring more attention to the undesirable side effects of neuroenhancement, which have been poorly investigated to date (Luber, 2014). Indeed, there is some evidence that electrical stimulation could enhance some cognitive functions only to the detriment of others (Iuculano and Cohen Kadosh, 2013; Brem et al, 2014; Kadosh, 2015). Notably, Iuculano and Cohen Kadosh (2013), in one of the first studies investigating dual-dissociation tasks with transcranial neurostimulation technologies, demonstrated a cognitive cost associated to numerical learning tasks.…”

Section: Methodological Guidepost 2: Comparing Expectations (Assumptimentioning

confidence: 99%

tDCS for Memory Enhancement: Analysis of the Speculative Aspects of Ethical Issues

Voarino

Dubljević

Racine

2017

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising technology to enhance cognitive and physical performance. One of the major areas of interest is the enhancement of memory function in healthy individuals. The early arrival of tDCS on the market for lifestyle uses and cognitive enhancement purposes lead to the voicing of some important ethical concerns, especially because, to date, there are no official guidelines or evaluation procedures to tackle these issues. The aim of this article is to review ethical issues related to uses of tDCS for memory enhancement found in the ethics and neuroscience literature and to evaluate how realistic and scientifically well-founded these concerns are? In order to evaluate how plausible or speculative each issue is, we applied the methodological framework described by Racine et al. (2014) for “informed and reflective” speculation in bioethics. This framework could be succinctly presented as requiring: (1) the explicit acknowledgment of factual assumptions and identification of the value attributed to them; (2) the validation of these assumptions with interdisciplinary literature; and (3) the adoption of a broad perspective to support more comprehensive reflection on normative issues. We identified four major considerations associated with the development of tDCS for memory enhancement: safety, autonomy, justice and authenticity. In order to assess the seriousness and likelihood of harm related to each of these concerns, we analyzed the assumptions underlying the ethical issues, and the level of evidence for each of them. We identified seven distinct assumptions: prevalence, social acceptance, efficacy, ideological stance (bioconservative vs. libertarian), potential for misuse, long term side effects, and the delivery of complete and clear information. We conclude that ethical discussion about memory enhancement via tDCS sometimes involves undue speculation, and closer attention to scientific and social facts would bring a more nuanced analysis. At this time, the most realistic concerns are related to safety and violation of users’ autonomy by a breach of informed consent, as potential immediate and long-term health risks to private users remain unknown or not well defined. Clear and complete information about these risks must be provided to research participants and consumers of tDCS products or related services. Broader public education initiatives and warnings would also be worthwhile to reach those who are constructing their own tDCS devices.

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Modulating and enhancing cognition using brain stimulation: Science and fiction

Cited by 26 publications

References 154 publications

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation at Alpha Frequency Reduces Pain When the Intensity of Pain is Uncertain

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation at Alpha Frequency Reduces Pain When the Intensity of Pain is Uncertain

Effect of tDCS on task relevant and irrelevant perceptual learning of complex objects

tDCS for Memory Enhancement: Analysis of the Speculative Aspects of Ethical Issues

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