Right and left inferior frontal opercula are involved in discriminating angry and sad facial expressions

• DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.03.014
• Publication Date: 2021-03-27T16:29:31Z
• Authors: Igor Iarrobino; Alessandro Bongia...; Olga Dal Monte; Pietro Sarasso; Irene Ronga; Marco Neppi-Modona; Rossana Actis-Grosso; Adriana Salatino; Raffaella Ricci
• Keywords: Sadness

BackgroundNeuroimaging studies suggest that the inferior frontal operculum (IFO) is part of a neuronal network involved in facial expression processing, but causal role this region emotional face discrimination remains elusive.ObjectiveWe used cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS to test whether right (r-IFO) and left (l-IFO) IFO play discriminating basic emotions healthy volunteers. Specifically, we tested if two sites are selectively processing expressions conveying high or low arousal emotions. Based on Arousal Hypothesis expected find modulation by r-IFO l-IFO, respectively.MethodsFirst, validated an Emotional Faces Discrimination Task (EFDT). Then, targeted l-IFO with (i.e. cathode was placed over IFO, while anode contralateral supraorbital area) during EFDT. Non-active sham) control condition.ResultsOverall, participants manifested "happy advantage". Interestingly, enhanced faces expressing anger (a emotion), whereas, decreased sadness emotion).ConclusionsOur findings revealed differential specific Crucially, these results might reduce neural noise triggered emotions, improving disrupting These offer new insights for treating clinical population deficits expressions.