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It has been already shown that delivering tDCS that are spaced by an interval alters its impact on motor plasticity. These effects can be explained, based on metaplasticity in which a previous modification of activity in a neuronal network can change the effects of subsequent interventions in the same network. But to date there is limited data assessing metaplasticity effects in cognitive functioning., This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) with two individual grants (SFRH/BPD/86041/2012 and SFRH/BPD/86027/2012).

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is involved in the cognitive appraisal and modulation of the pain experience. In this sham-controlled study, with healthy volunteers, we used bi-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the DLPFC to assess emotional reactions elicited by pain observation. Left-cathodal/right-anodal tDCS decreased valence and arousal evaluations compared to other tDCS conditions. Compared to sham condition, both left-cathodal/right-anodal and left-anodal/right-cathodal tDCS decreased hostility, sadness and self-pain perception. These decreased sensations after both active tDCS suggest a common role for left and right DLPFC in personal distress modulation. However, the differences in arousal and valence evaluations point to distinct roles of lateralized DLPFC in cognitive empathy, probably through distinct emotion regulation mechanisms., This experiment was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq-480891/2012-5). LMM is supported by a scientific initiation grant (CNPq – 160553/2013-0). OML is supported by a FAPESP PhD grant (FAPESP – 2012/24696-1). PSB is a CNPq research fellow (304164/2012-7).