The Predictive Role of the Posterior Cerebellum in the Processing of Dynamic Emotions

• DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01574-w
• Publication Date: 2023-06-07T12:03:24Z
• Authors: Gianluca Malatesta; Anita D’Anselmo; Giulia Prete; Chiara Lucafò; Letizia Faieta; Luca Tommasi
• Keywords: Affect

Abstract Recent studies have bolstered the important role of cerebellum in high-level socio-affective functions. In particular, neuroscientific evidence shows that posterior is involved social cognition and emotion processing, presumably through its involvement temporal processing predicting outcomes sequences. We used cerebellar transcranial random noise stimulation (ctRNS) targeting to affect performance 32 healthy participants during an discrimination task, including both static dynamic facial expressions (i.e., transitioning from a neutral image happy/sad emotion). ctRNS, compared sham condition, significantly reduced participants’ accuracy discriminate sad expressions, but it increased expressions. No effects emerged with happy faces. These findings may suggest existence two different circuits for negative emotional stimuli: first-time-independent mechanism which can be selectively disrupted by second time-dependent predictive "sequence detection" enhanced ctRNS. This latter might included among operational models constantly engaged rapid adjustment predictions based on behavioral information inherent others’ actions. speculate one basic principles underlying understanding other individuals’ behaviors interactions.