Multisession Anodal tDCS on the Right Temporo-Parietal Junction Improves Mentalizing Processes in Adults with Autistic Traits

Abstract

Persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have impaired mentalizing skills. In this study, a group of persons with ASD traits (high-AQ scores) initially received sham tDCS before completing a pre-test in two mentalizing tasks: false belief and self-other judgments. Over the next week, on four consecutive days, they received sessions of anodal electrical stimulation (a-tDCS) over the right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ), a region frequently associated with the theory of mind. On the last day, after the stimulation session, they completed a new set of mentalizing tasks. A control group (with low-AQ scores) matched in age, education and intelligence received just sham stimulation and completed the same pre-test and post-test. The results showed that the high-AQ group improved their performance (faster responses), after a-tDCS, in the false belief and in the self-other judgments of mental features, whereas they did not change performance in the false photographs or the self-other judgments of physical features. These selective improvements cannot be attributed to increased familiarity with the tasks, because the performance of the low-AQ control group remained stable about one week later. Therefore, our study provides initial proof that tDCS could be used to improve mentalizing skills in persons with ASD traits.

“Why do they do it?”: The short‐story task for measuring fiction‐based mentalizing in autistic and non‐autistic individuals

“…In summary, current mentalizing tasks are (1) only able to address a subpart of mentalizing, that is, through faux pas, (2) frequently passed by autistic adults, and (3) rarely reflect autistic adults' difficulties in social interaction. Due to the nature of the available tasks, some well-compensated autistic adults who still struggle with everyday social interaction may not be diagnosed and therefore not receive the help they need, that is, interventions or trainings (Padr on et al, 2022). Already receiving a diagnosis can greatly reduce the feeling of isolation and provide a sense of belonging (Mitchell et al, 2021).…”

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulates EEG Microstates in Low-Functioning Autism: A Pilot Study

“…tDCS has measurable effects on neuropsychology and physiology [13]. A previous study provided the initial proof that tDCS could be used to improve mentalizing skills in persons with ASD traits [14], and it has been widely used in clinical research investigating Parkinsonism, major depressive disorder, and stroke [15].…”

A causal role for right temporoparietal junction in random pairing repeated holdup game.

“…Studies have shown that rTPJ participates in the strategic computing process when participants compete with human opponents (Carter et al, 2012; Coricelli & Nagel, 2009). The rTPJ is also considered to be a key brain structure for self and other differentiation, and its damage can lead to some mental diseases (Eddy, 2016; Padrón et al, 2021). Speitel et al (2019) showed that if the function of rTPJ is impaired, participants may resort to a simple heuristic of equal sharing.…”