Modulating risk-taking behavior with theta-band tACS.

Although risk is prevalent in decision-making, the specific neural processes underlying risk-taking behavior remain unclear. Previous studies have suggested that frontal theta-band activity plays a crucial role in modulating risk-taking behavior. The functional relevance of theta in risk-taking behavior is yet to be clearly established and studies using noninvasive brain stimulation have yielded inconsistent findings.

The functional relevance of right DLPFC and VMPFC in risk-taking behavior.

Background: The prefrontal cortex can be partialized in various anatomical and functional sub regions. Among those regions, both right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) have been associated with risk-taking behavior based on neuroimaging studies. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) studies aiming at demonstrating the functional relevance of neural activity in these areas almost exclusively focused on the rDLPFC, where its experimental stimulation with a (generally) inhibitory protocol lead to a measurable increase in risk-taking behavior due to reduced cognitive control.

The effects of probiotics on risk and time preferences.

Animal models, human neuroimaging and lesion studies revealed that the gut microbiota can influence the interaction between the central and the enteric nervous systems via the gut-brain axis (GBA) and can affect brain regions linked to basic emotional and cognitive processes. The role of the gut microbiota in decision-making in healthy humans thus far remains largely unknown. Our study establishes a functional relationship between the gut microbiota and healthy humans' decisions that involve risk and time.

Reduced risk-taking behavior during frontal oscillatory theta band neurostimulation.

Background: Most of our decisions involve a certain degree of risk regarding the outcomes of our choices. People vary in the way they make decisions, resulting in different levels of risk-taking behavior. These differences have been linked to prefrontal theta band activity.