Region-Specific Effects of 10-Hz Transcranial Alternate Current Stimulation Over the Left Posterior Parietal Cortex and Primary Somatosensory Area on Tactile Two-Point Discrimination Threshold

Changes in alpha-band cortical oscillatory activity (8-13 Hz) affect perception; however, how these changes in the left posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which play different roles in determining the two-point discrimination (TPD) threshold, affect TPD threshold remains unelucidated. Therefore, to determine TPD threshold, we aimed to investigate the function of the left PPC and S1 by applying alpha-band transcranial alternating current stimulation (alpha-tACS; 10 Hz). TPD threshold was examined at the pad of the right index finger, contralateral to the stimulation site, in 17 healthy adults using a custom-made, computer-controlled, two-point tactile stimulation device, with random application of either active or sham alpha-tACS over the left PPC (Experiment 1) and left S1 (Experiment 2). Then, 50% TPD threshold was obtained in the active and sham conditions via logistic regression analysis. Afterward, we compared the difference between the active and sham conditions at 50% TPD threshold in each region and found that alpha-tACS reduced TPD threshold when applied over the left PPC (P = 0.010); however, its effect was insignificant when applied over the left S1 (P = 0.74). Moreover, a comparison of the change in 50% TPD threshold among the regions revealed that alpha-tACS applied over the left PPC significantly reduced TPD threshold compared with that applied over the left S1 (P = 0.003). Although we did not reveal the actual changes in cortical activity induced by alpha-tACS, this is the first empirical evidence that alpha-tACS applied over the left PPC and left S1 exerts region-specific effects on determining TPD threshold assessed in the contralateral index finger pad by stimulation.

Automated summary

Changes in alpha-band cortical oscillatory activity affect perception, with alpha-tACS applied over the left PPC reducing TPD threshold significantly compared to that applied over the left S1. This study provides empirical evidence that alpha-tACS exerts region-specific effects on determining TPD threshold assessed in the contralateral index finger pad.