Social Brain and Neurostimulation

Social cognition is the capacity to detect, understand, and evaluate relevant information from the environment. It is an important skill for effective interpersonal functioning. The human “social brain” is instrumental in the process of social cognition. Disruption in these networks are central to the development and progression of pathology across psychiatric conditions in terms of deficits in facial recognition, interpreting social cues, difficulty in connecting with others, reduced adaptive functioning in social contexts exacerbating the overall disability. Conventional pharmacological and psychosocial management show sub-par effects which bring forward the applicability of neurostimulation as an effective therapeutic modality by virtue of their ability to directly generate action potential and modulate neural circuits. Techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) show potential in enhancing social cognitive processes by targeting specific brain regions. This chapter aims to explore the mechanisms through which neurostimulation influences the social brain, emphasizing its potential role in addressing the associated socio-cognitive deficits. It also highlights the therapeutic relevance and applicability of neurostimulation in enhancing social cognition. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges, ethical considerations, and future directions involving integration of artificial intelligence with neurostimulation as part of enhancing clinical outcomes and advancing precision psychiatry.