High-Definition tDCS of Noun and Verb Retrieval in Naming and Lexical Decision

Authors

  • Svetlana Malyutina University of South Carolina
  • Dirk-Bart den Ouden University of South Carolina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.2.3.111

Keywords:

HD-tDCS, brain stimulation, language, word retrieval, Broca’s area, angular gyrus

Abstract

High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a novel brain stimulation method that has high potential for use in language therapy for speakers with aphasia, due to its safety and focality. This study aimed to obtain foundational data on using HD-tDCS to modulate language processing in healthy speakers. Participants received stimulation either of left Broca’s area or of angular gyrus (20 minutes of anodal, cathodal and sham stimulation on separate days), followed by naming and lexical decision tasks with single-word verb and noun stimuli. We found that cathodal stimulation over both Broca’s area and left angular gyrus increased naming speed for both verbs and nouns, challenging the traditional view of cathodal stimulation as suppressive or leading to decreased performance. The effect did not extend to the lexical decision task. Additionally, effects of specific stimulation types depended on the order of their administration, suggesting possible physiological carry-over and/or task novelty effects.

Author Biographies

Svetlana Malyutina, University of South Carolina

Dr. Malyutina received her PhD degree from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina in 2015.

Dirk-Bart den Ouden, University of South Carolina

Dr. den Ouden is an Assistant Professor and director of the Neurolinguistics Laboratory at the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina.

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Published

2015-10-07

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2015)

Section

Research Papers

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