open access publication

Article, 2023

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation to the left anterior medial prefrontal cortex influences metacognitive efficiency

NeuroImage, ISSN 1095-9572, 1053-8119, Volume 272, Page 119991, 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119991

Contributors

Hobot, Justyna 0000-0002-4464-6415 (Corresponding author) [1] [2] Skóra, Zuzanna 0000-0001-6018-8031 [3] Wierzchoń, Michał 0000-0002-7347-2696 [1] Sandberg, Kristian 0000-0001-6936-5487 [2] [4]

Affiliations

  1. [1] Jagiellonian University
    2. [NORA names: Poland; Europe, EU; OECD];
  2. [2] Aarhus University
    3. [NORA names: AU Aarhus University; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  3. [3] Norwegian University of Science and Technology
    4. [NORA names: Norway; Europe, Non-EU; Nordic; OECD];
  4. [4] Aarhus University Hospital
    5. [NORA names: Central Denmark Region; Hospital; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]

Abstract

The contribution of the prefrontal areas to visual awareness is critical for the Global Neuronal Workspace Theory and higher-order theories of consciousness. The goal of the present study was to test the potential engagement of the anterior medial prefrontal cortex (aMPFC) in visual awareness judgements. We aimed to temporarily influence the neuronal dynamics of the left aMPFC via neuroplasticity-like mechanisms. We used different Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) protocols in combination with a visual identification task and visual awareness ratings. Either continuous TBS (cTBS), intermittent TBS (iTBS), or sham TBS was applied prior to the experimental paradigm in a within-participant design. Compared with sham TBS, we observed an increase in participants' ability to judge their perception adequately (metacognitive efficiency) following cTBS but not iTBS. The effect was accompanied by lower visual awareness ratings in incorrect responses. No significant differences in the identification task performance were observed. We interpret these results as evidence of the involvement of PFC in the brain network that underlies metacognition. Further, we discuss whether the results of TMS studies on perceptual metacognition can be taken as evidence for PFC involvement in awareness itself.

Keywords

Global, PFC, TMS studies, ability, anterior medial prefrontal cortex, area, awareness, awareness rate, brain, brain networks, burst stimulation, combination, consciousness, continuity, continuous TBS, continuous theta burst stimulation, contribution, cortex, design, differences, dynamics, effect, efficiency, engagement, evidence, experimental paradigm, global neuronal workspace theory, goal, higher-order theories of consciousness, higher-order theory, identification, identification task, increase, intermittent TBS, intermittent theta burst stimulation, involvement, involvement of PFC, judgment, mechanism, medial prefrontal cortex, metacognition, metacognitive efficiency, network, neuronal dynamics, no significant difference, paradigm, participants, participants' ability, perception, perceptual metacognition, performance, potential engagement, prefrontal areas, prefrontal cortex, protocol, rate, response, results, results of TMS studies, sham, sham theta-burst stimulation, significant difference, stimulation, study, task, task performance, theory, theory of consciousness, theta, theta burst stimulation, visual awareness, visual awareness judgments, visual identification task, within-participant design

Funders

  • European Cooperation in Science and Technology
  • National Science Center

Data Provider: Digital Science

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