Attenuating anger and aggression with neuromodulation of the vmPFC: A simultaneous tDCS-fMRI study

Gadi Gilam*, Rany Abend, Guy Gurevitch, Alon Erdman, Halen Baker, Ziv Ben-Zion, Talma Hendler

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Angry outbursts during interpersonal provocations may lead to violence and prevails in numerous pathological conditions. In the anger-infused Ultimatum Game (aiUG), unfair monetary offers accompanied by written provocations induce anger. Rejection of such offers relates to aggression, whereas acceptance to anger regulation. We previously demonstrated the involvement of the ventro-medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in accepting unfair offers and attenuating anger during an aiUG, suggestive of its role in anger regulation. Here, we aimed to enhance anger regulation by facilitating vmPFC activity during anger induction, using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and simultaneously with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to validate modulation of vmPFC activity. In a cross-over, sham-controlled, double-blind study, participants (N = 25) were each scanned twice, counterbalancing sham and active tDCS applied during administration of the aiUG. Outcome measures included the effect of active versus sham stimulation on vmPFC activity, unfair offers' acceptance rates, self-reported anger, and aggressive behavior in a subsequent reactive aggression paradigm. Results indicate that active stimulation led to increased vmPFC activity during the processing of unfair offers, increased acceptance rates of these offers, and mitigated the increase in self-reported anger following the aiUG. We also noted a decrease in subsequent aggressive behavior following active stimulation, but only when active stimulation was conducted in the first experimental session. Finally, an exploratory finding indicated that participants with a stronger habitual tendency to use suppression as an emotion regulation strategy, reported less anger following the aiUG in the active compared to sham stimulation conditions. Findings support a potential causal link between vmPFC functionality and the experience and expression of anger, supporting vmPFC's role in anger regulation, and providing a promising avenue for reducing angry and aggressive outbursts during interpersonal provocations in various psychiatric and medical conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)156-170
Number of pages15
JournalCortex
Volume109
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2018

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Mental HealthZIAMH002781-15
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute on Drug AbuseR01DA035484
National Institute on Drug Abuse
University of Chicago39174-07
University of Chicago
Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education of Israel51/11
Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education of Israel

    Keywords

    • Aggression
    • Anger
    • Taylor Aggression Paradigm
    • Ultimatum Game
    • vmPFC

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