Brain stimulation may help improve emotional regulation

Reuters Health - 28/12/2020 - Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) could boost the effectiveness of strategies for improving emotional regulation, according to new findings. Study participants who underwent TMS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPC) experienced fewer negative emotions when using appraisal or distraction compared with those who underwent sham TMS, Dr. Jun Zhao of Shenzhen University in China and colleagues found. "Our findings have potential clinical implications, paving the way for future clinicians to be able to accurately target specific brain regions among patients struggling with impaired social cognition abilities, including those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety disorder, and depression," they conclude in The Journal of Neuroscience. The DLPFC and VLPC play key roles in emotional regulation, the authors note. These brain...

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Posted on 28 December, 20208 January, 2021