Modulating Prefrontal Cortical Oscillations to Improve Emotional Regulation: A Combined Electrophysiology and Brain Stimulation Study

Emotional regulation (ER), the ability to manage emotions in a helpful way, is essential for mental health and well-being. Difficulties with ER are also common across many psychiatric disorders. Understanding the processes that support successful ER could help inform new treatments, but the causal brain mechanisms involved are still not well understood. This project addresses this gap by testing whether a specific rhythmic pattern of brain activity, called theta oscillations, helps people regulate negative emotions. Participants will view negative images and use different strategies to reduce their emotional response. At the same time, non-invasive brain stimulation will be used to strengthen theta activity in a brain region involved in ER. By comparing performance when theta activity is strengthened versus a control condition (no change in theta activity), we will test whether enhancing this brain rhythm improves ER. Findings will be shared through scientific publications and conference presentations, as well as through outreach activities such as newsletters and social media. Overall, this work aims to provide causal evidence for how brain rhythms support ER and to inform future approaches for improving ER in mental health care.