Brain Network Mechanisms Causally Underlying Human Decisions Revealed by Brain Stimulation and Functional MRI

Brain Network Mechanisms Causally Underlying Human Decisions Revealed by Brain Stimulation and Functional MRI

We will examine how stimulation of specific brain areas with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial electric stimulation (tES) changes specific aspects of behavior and brain activity, in order to test hypotheses about brain behavior relationships (basic research).

Inclusion Criteria:

• between 18 and 80 years of age (whereby for most studies the majority of recruited participants will be between 18 and 40 years of age)
• right-handedness and/or one specific gender (male or female) can be inclusion criteria to reduce variation in the data.

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to understand the instructions and insufficient knowledge of the project language
• Internal electronic and/or metallic objects in the head, neck, or shoulders (e.g. artificial cochleae, deep brain stimulators, medical pumps, shrapnel, metallic splinters due to accidents during metal welding)
• One or more epileptic fits in the participant or a first-degree relative
• Vascular, traumatic, tumoral, infectious, or metabolic brain damage
• Use of medication that significantly alters cortical excitability
• Acute sleep deprivation or withdrawal from alcohol
• pregnancy
• to reduce bias, students of psychology or economics can be excluded if there is a possibility that they are familiar with the relevant paradigm.