Interpersonal space preferences and emotional approach behaviors are shaped by the interaction of emotional valence, self–other distinction, and neural activity. In this within-subject study (n = 20 healthy adults), we applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) to examine their causal contributions to social distance regulation and approach tendencies. Participants completed two tasks under each stimulation condition: (1) the Comfortable Interpersonal Distance Task (CIDT), assessing preferred distances toward avatars representing “self,” “mother,” and “president,” and (2) the Approach–Avoidance Task (AAT), involving emotional facial expressions (happy, neutral, sad, angry, disgust). Anodal stimulation of the rTPJ selectively increased interpersonal distance toward mother and president avatars compared to sham and other sites. In contrast, anodal vmPFC stimulation reduced distance toward positive emotional stimuli in the AAT, reflecting enhanced approach behavior. Stimulation of the dlPFC did not significantly alter outcomes. These findings reveal a functional dissociation between neural circuits underlying self–other spatial processing (rTPJ) and emotional approach (vmPFC). The study provides novel causal evidence for targeted neuromodulation of social behavior and highlights potential applications for interventions in affective and social disorders.

Authors:
Aylin Mardanpour, University of Tehran, Iran

About the Presenter(s)
Aylin Mardanpour is currently serves as the Technical and Financial Director of the International Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the Secretary of the annual Mental Health and Media conferences.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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