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Dissertation
Direct current stimulation of right anterior superior temporal gyrus during solution of compound remote associates problems
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4079
Abstract
Background: Research has implicated the right temporal lobe in verbal insight problems. Gamma frequency activity is coincident with insight, and fMRI showed there was greater hemodynamic activity when first seeing problems eventually solved with insight. fMRI research localized the activity to the rASTG. Direct current stimulation (DCS) can be used to modulate neuronal activity and has both enhanced and disrupted cognition via temporal lobe targets. Objectives: To determine if rASTG activity drives insight processes or is epiphenomenal. Main Hypotheses: Depolarizing anodal stimulation would enhance insight solutions; while hyperpolarizing cathodal stimulation would impede insight solutions. Methods: 28 normal participants solved CRA) problems during 3 sessions while receiving 3 types of DCS. Participants were asked if they solved each problem with insight or analytic processes. Rate, speed, accuracy, and proportion of insight solution were compared to see if rASTG stimulation affected insight processes. Results: Anodal stimulation was associated with fewer analytic solutions, decreased time to insight solution and decreased insight error rate. Cathodal stimulation increased time to insight solution and increased insight error rate. Conclusions: Direct current stimulation alters solution strategies for compound remote associates problems, perhaps via effects on left-hemisphere-mediated impasse or coarse semantic integration at rASTG.
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Details
- Title
- Direct current stimulation of right anterior superior temporal gyrus during solution of compound remote associates problems
- Creators
- Joseph Jason van Steenburgh - DU
- Contributors
- John Kounios (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4079; 991014632077904721