Trait self-control mediates the association between resting-state neural correlates and emotional well-being in late adolescence

The resting-state brain activity and connectivity mediates the effect of overt narcissism on negative physical self

Overt narcissism is a stable personality trait in which individuals maintain a relatively positive self-image through self-improvement. Previous studies have suggested that examining the neurobiological processes behind personality could help to understand the mechanism by which the personality acts as a risk or protective factor. However, there is a lack of research investigating the neural mechanisms underlying the influence of overt narcissism on negative physical self (NPS). This study evaluated the resting state brain activity (fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, fALFF) and connectivity (functional connectivity, FC) of 1647 college students. Whole brain correlation analysis showed that overt narcissism was positively correlated with fALFF in the left insula, left precentral gyrus (PreCG) and bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG). Moreover, overt narcissism exhibited a significant positive correlation with the right STG-PreCG connectivity, and also was significantly positively correlated with FC between the left STG and posterior cingulate gyrus, the left orbitofrontal cortex, the right inferior frontal gyrus and the right thalamus. The results of mediating analysis showed that fALFF in the left PreCG and the right STG-PreCG connectivity partially mediated the effects of overt narcissism on general and facial appearance of NPS, respectively. This study constructed a model (i.e., overt narcissism→brain regions/FC→NPS), providing neurobiological evidence for the relationship between overt narcissism and NPS.

Relationship between trait mindfulness and physical activity among emerging adults: The mediating roles of exercise-related cognitive errors and trait self-control

OBJECTIVE

Exercise-related cognitive errors (ECEs) is a significant factor that can negatively influence physical activity (PA) engagement among emerging adults, whereas mindfulness interventions may be beneficial for promoting PA. Against this background, we investigated the potential association between trait mindfulness and PA levels among emerging adults and determined whether trait self-control and ECEs serve as mediators.

METHOD

328 Chinese participants (61.3 % female, mean age = 20.65, SD = 2.21) completed a series of questionnaires, including demographics, the Five Dimension Mindfulness Questionnaire short form (FFMQ-SF), the Exercise Cognitive Bias Questionnaire (E-CEQ), the Brief Self Control Scale (BSCS), and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). A structural equation model was used to investigate the potential relationships between trait mindfulness and PA levels, considering trait self-control and ECEs as mediators.

RESULTS

Trait self-control (Indirect 1; B = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.16) and ECEs (Indirect 3; B = 0.02, 95%CI: 0.00, 0.04) mediates the relationship between trait mindfulness and PA levels, respectively, when considered as independent mediators. In addition, also in a dual-mediation model ECEs and trait self-control (Indirect 2; B = 0.02, 95%CI [0.00, 0.06]) mediate the relationship between trait mindfulness and PA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that trait self-control and ECEs are mediators of the relationship between trait mindfulness and PA levels, providing a new direction for further research aiming to reduce ECEs and improve PA levels among emerging adults.

Is Being Male a Marker of Aggression? Evidence for the Decoupling of Sex and Gender Role Orientation

OBJECTIVES

This study explores whether sex differences in reactive aggression (RA) and proactive aggression (PA) are attributable to sex, gender role orientation, or their interaction and explores the neuroanatomical characteristics of these sex differences.

METHODS

In a sample of 108 males and 126 females, we examined the sex-by-gender role orientation interaction on RA, PA, and brain gray matter volume (GMV). Then, we explored the relationship between aggression and regional GMV.

RESULTS

When the effects of sex and gender role orientation on aggression were disentangled, there were no sex differences in RA, regardless of gender role orientation. However, sex differences (male > female) in PA were observed within the masculine group but not within the feminine group. Brain imaging results revealed sex differences (male > female) on the right inferior frontal gyrus GMV, a region involved in cognitive control, within the masculine group. Moreover, a negative association between PA and the right inferior frontal gyrus GMV was observed in masculine females rather than masculine males.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that gender role orientation has a more significant effect on aggression than sex, particularly with regard to PA, and hint that the goal of cognitive control involved in displaying PA differs in masculine males and masculine females.

Relationships between Grey Matter Volume in the Bilateral Superior Frontal Gyrus and Reactive Aggression Varied by Level of Traditional Masculinity

Although previous behavioral studies have associated reactive aggression (RA) and proactive aggression (PA) with traditional masculinity, further investigation is needed into the traditional masculinity-linked neuroanatomical characteristics of RA and PA. This study analyzed the traditional masculinity-by-aggression interaction in 705 participants (350 men) by measuring grey matter volume (GMV). We have expanded on previous studies and found that traditional masculinity was not associated with RA and PA when not controlled for traditional femininity. However, the association appeared when controlling for it. Furthermore, we found significant traditional masculinity-by-RA interactions on the GMV in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus, a region known to be involved in cognitive control. When traditional masculinity scores were 1 standard deviation above the mean, there was a positive correlation between RA and the GMV in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus. Conversely, when traditional masculinity scores were 1 standard deviation below the mean, there was a negative correlation between RA and the GMV in the region. However, no traditional masculinity-linked neuroanatomical characteristics of PA were found. The results indicated that individuals with high/low traditional masculinity perceived RA as a different outcome (gain or loss) of self-control. The results supported an opportunity to develop prevention or intervention strategies for RA.

Vulnerable at rest? A resting-state EEG study and psychosocial factors of young adult offspring of alcohol-dependent parents

BACKGROUND

Offspring of parents with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are more susceptible to developing AUD, with an estimated heritability of around 50%. Vulnerability to AUD in first-degree relatives is influenced by biological factors, such as spontaneous brain activity, and high-risk psychosocial characteristics. However, existing resting-state EEG studies in AUD offspring have shown inconsistent findings regarding theta, alpha, and beta band frequencies. Additionally, research consistently demonstrates an increased risk of internalizing and externalizing disorders, self-regulation difficulties, and interpersonal issues among AUD offspring.

METHODS

This study aimed to investigate the absolute power of theta, alpha, and beta frequencies in young adult offspring with a family history of AUD compared to individuals without family history. The psychosocial profiles of the offspring were also examined in relation to individuals without a family history of AUD. Furthermore, the study sought to explore the potential association between differences in frequency bands and psychosocial variables. Resting-state EEG recordings were obtained from 31 young adult healthy offspring of alcohol-dependent individuals and 43 participants with no family history of AUD (age range: 16-25 years). Participants also completed self-report questionnaires assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms, impulsivity, emotion regulation, and social involvement.

RESULTS

The results revealed no significant differences in spontaneous brain activity between the offspring and participants without a family history of AUD. However, in terms of psychosocial factors, the offspring exhibited significantly lower social involvement than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study does not provide evidence suggesting vulnerability in offspring based on differences in spontaneous brain activity. Moreover, this investigation highlights the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing social connections in offspring. Such interventions can not only reduce the risk of developing AUD, given its strong association with increased feelings of loneliness but also improve the overall well-being of the offspring.

The neurofunctional basis of human aggression varies by levels of femininity

Aggression can be categorized into reactive aggression (RA) and proactive aggression (PA) based on their underlying motivations. However, previous research has rarely identified the relationship between femininity and RA/PA, and there is a lack of understanding regarding the femininity-related neurofunctional basis of these aggressive behaviors. Thus, this study first examined the relationships between femininity and aggression, then explored the aggression-by-femininity interactions on the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations using resting-state fMRI among 705 university participants (mean age = 19.14 ± 0.99). The behavioral data indicated that femininity was more negatively associated with RA and PA when masculinity was controlled for. Additionally, the neural data revealed that femininity-specific relationships of RA in the left middle occipital gyrus (i.e. individuals with low femininity had positive relationships between RA and the left middle occipital gyrus, whereas those with high femininity had negative relationships) as well as of PA in the left middle frontal gyrus (i.e. individuals with high femininity showed significant negative relationships, whereas those with low femininity did not exhibit significant relationships). These findings reflect that individuals with varying levels of femininity exhibit distinct neural bases when expressing different subtypes of aggression, which are associated with societal expectations of gender.

Relation of resting brain signal variability to cognitive and socioemotional measures in an adult lifespan sample

Temporal variability of the fMRI-derived blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal during cognitive tasks shows important associations with individual differences in age and performance. Less is known about relations between spontaneous BOLD variability measured at rest and relatively stable cognitive measures, such as IQ or socioemotional function. Here, we examined associations among resting BOLD variability, cognitive/socioemotional scores from the NIH Toolbox and optimal time of day for alertness (chronotype) in a sample of 157 adults from 20 to 86 years of age. To investigate individual differences in these associations independently of age, we regressed age out from both behavioral and BOLD variability scores. We hypothesized that greater BOLD variability would be related to higher fluid cognition scores, more positive scores on socioemotional scales and a morningness chronotype. Consistent with this idea, we found positive correlations between resting BOLD variability, positive socioemotional scores (e.g. self-efficacy) and morning chronotype, as well as negative correlations between variability and negative emotional scores (e.g. loneliness). Unexpectedly, we found negative correlations between BOLD variability and fluid cognition. These results suggest that greater resting brain signal variability facilitates optimal socioemotional function and characterizes those with morning-type circadian rhythms, but individuals with greater fluid cognition may be more likely to show less temporal variability in spontaneous measures of BOLD activity.

The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation characteristics in depressed adolescents with suicide attempts: a resting-state fMRI study

Background

The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) is a measure of spontaneous brain activity derived from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Previous research has suggested that abnormal ALFF values may be associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicide attempts in adolescents. In this study, our aim was to investigate the differences in ALFF values between adolescent MDD patients with and without a history of suicide attempts, and to explore the potential utility of ALFF as a neuroimaging biomarker for aiding in the diagnosis and prediction of suicide attempts in this population.

Methods

The study included 34 adolescent depression patients with suicide attempts (SU group), 43 depression patients without suicide attempts (NSU group), and 36 healthy controls (HC group). Depression was diagnosed using a threshold score greater than 17 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). The rs-fMRI was employed to calculate zALFF values and compare differences among the groups. Associations between zALFF values in specific brain regions and clinical variables such as emotion regulation difficulties were explored using Pearson partial correlation analysis. Receiver-Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis assessed the ability of mean zALFF values to differentiate between SU and NSU groups.

Results

Significant differences in zALFF values were observed in the left and right inferior temporal gyrus (l-ITG, r-ITG) and right fusiform gyrus (r-FG) among the three groups (GRF corrected). Both SU and NSU groups exhibited increased zALFF values in the inferior temporal gyrus compared to the HC group. Furthermore, the SU group showed significantly higher zALFF values in the l-ITG and r-FG compared to both the NSU group and the HC group. Partial correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between zALFF values in the left superior and middle frontal gyrus (l-SFG, l-MFG) and the degree of emotional dysregulation in the SU group (R = -0.496, p = 0.003; R = -0.484, p = 0.005). Combining zALFF values from the l-ITG and r-FG achieved successful discrimination between depressed adolescents with and without suicide attempts (AUC = 0.855) with high sensitivity (86%) and specificity (71%).

Conclusion

Depressed adolescents with suicidal behavior exhibit unique neural activity patterns in the inferior temporal gyrus and fusiform gyrus. These findings highlight the potential utility of these specific brain regions as biomarkers for identifying suicide risk in depressed adolescents. Furthermore, associations between emotion dysregulation and activity in their frontal gyrus regions were observed. These findings provide preliminary yet pertinent insights into the pathophysiology of suicide in depressed adolescents.

Knowing what you feel: Inferior frontal gyrus-based structural and functional neural patterns underpinning adaptive body awareness

BACKGROUND

Heightened body awareness (BA) is conducive for increasing understanding of bodily state and improves individuals' health and well-being. Although there has been cumulative research concentrating on the self-perceived tendency to focus on negatively valenced interoceptive sensations, the specific structural and functional neural patterns underlying BA and their role in the relationship between BA and individual well-being remain unclear.

METHODS

Voxel-based morphometry and whole brain functional connectivity analyses were conducted to examine the structural and functional neural patterns, respectively, in 686 healthy subjects. BA and subjective well-being were assessed using questionnaires.

RESULTS

BA was inversely related to gray matter volume of the right inferior frontal gyrus, opercular part (IFGoperc). Higher BA was correlated with enhanced IFGoperc-precuneus and IFGoperc-anterior supramarginal gyrus connectivities, and with decreased IFGoperc-lateral occipital cortex and IFGoperc-medial frontal cortex connectivities. The inferior frontal gyrus, triangular part (in the fronto-parietal task control network) acted as the hub that linked the sensory/somatomotor network, the default mode network, and the dorsal and ventral attention network. The IFGoperc-precuneus connectivity moderated the association between BA and subjective well-being.

LIMITATIONS

We were unable to rank all the networks by their relative importance, because the absolute weighted value in each module was not calculated.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated that BA was reflected by specific neural patterns mainly involved in cognitive-affective control, attentional and self-referential processing, as well as multisensory integration, which could offer some references for current therapies (e.g., mindfulness, yoga training) that are dedicated to solving health problems and improving individual well-being.

Delay discounting and alcohol consumption correlate with dorsal anterior insula activation during choice in nontreatment-seeking heavy drinkers

BACKGROUND

The anterior insular cortex (AIC), a prominent salience network node, integrates interoceptive information and emotional states into decision making. While AIC activation during delay discounting (DD) in alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been previously reported, the associations between AIC activation, impulsive choice, alcohol consumption, and connectivity remain unknown. We therefore tested AIC brain responses during DD in heavy drinkers and their association with DD performance, alcohol drinking, and task-based connectivity.

METHODS

Twenty-nine heavy drinkers (12 females; mean (SD) age=31.5 ± 6.1 years; mean (SD)=40.8 ± 23.4 drinks/week) completed a DD task during functional MRI. Regions activated during DD decision making were tested for correlation with DD behavior and alcohol drinking. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) models assessed the task-dependent functional connectivity (FC) of activation during choice.

RESULTS

Delay discounting choice activated bilateral anterior insular cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and left precentral gyrus. Right dorsal (d) AIC activation during choice negatively correlated withdiscounting of delayed rewards and alcohol consumption. PPI analysis revealed FC of the right dAIC to both the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices-key nodes in the midline default mode network.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater dAIC involvement in intertemporal choice may confer more adaptive behavior (lower impulsivity and alcohol consumption). Moreover, salience network processes governing discounting may require midline default mode (precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex) recruitment. These findings supporta key adaptive role for right dAIC in decision making involving future rewards and risky drinking.

The powerful brain: Neural correlates of sense of power and hope

A sense of power refers to the perception that one can control and influence others' states by providing or withholding valued resources in an asymmetrical way, and which has been associated with greater hope. However, little is known about the neural bases underlying this association. The present study aimed to examine these phenomena in 261 healthy adolescent students by assessing resting-state brain activity (i.e., the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, ALFF) and connectivity (i.e., resting-state functional connectivity, RSFC). Whole-brain correlation analyses revealed that higher levels of perceived power were linked with reduced ALFF in the left thalamus and increased RSFC between the left thalamus and left superior temporal gyrus. Mediation analyses further showed that perceived power mediated the influence of the left thalamus activity on hope. Our results remained significant even after controlling for the head motion, age, and gender. Our findings contribute to the neurobiological basis of a sense of power and the neural mechanism underlying the relationship between a sense of power and hope.

Abnormalities of Gray Matter Volume and Its Correlation with Clinical Symptoms in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have indicated abnormal gray matter volume (GMV) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, there is little consistency across the findings within these studies, partly due to small sample size and great heterogeneity among participants between studies. Additionally, few studies have explored the correlation between clinical symptoms and GMV abnormalities in individuals with ASD. Here, the current study examined GMV alterations in whole brain and their correlations with clinical symptoms in a relatively large and homogeneous sample of participants with ASD matched typically developing (TD) controls.

METHODS

Forty-eight adolescents with high-functioning ASD and 29 group-matched TD controls underwent structural magnetic resonance images. Voxel-based morphometry was applied to investigate regional GMV alterations. The participants with ASD were examined for the severity of clinical symptoms with Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). The relationship between GMV abnormalities and clinical symptoms was explored in ASD group using voxel-wise correlation analysis within brain regions that showed significant GMV alterations in individuals with ASD compared with TD controls.

RESULTS

We found increased GMV in multiple brain regions, including the inferior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, occipital pole, anterior cingulate, cerebellum anterior lobe, cerebellum posterior lobe, and midbrain, as well as decreased GMV in cerebellum posterior lobe in individuals with ASD. The correlation analysis showed the GMV in the left fusiform was negatively associated with the scores of sensory factor, and the GMV in the right cerebellum anterior lobe was positively associated with the scores of social self-help factor.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that widespread GMV abnormalities of brain regions occurred in individuals with ASD, suggesting a potential neural basis for the pathogenesis and symptomatology of ASD.

Trait self-control and disinhibited eating in COVID-19: The mediating role of perceived mortality threat and negative affect

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads globally, people are at risk of developing disinhibited eating behaviors. This study aimed to examine whether perceived mortality threat and negative affect mediate the relationship between trait self-control and disinhibited eating during the pandemic. A longitudinal survey was administered to a sample of college students (N = 634) before the outbreak (September 2019, T1), during the mid-term (February 2020, T2), and in the later stage of the pandemic (April 2020, T3). Self-report measures of trait self-control (T1), perceived mortality threat (T2, T3), negative affect (T2, T3), and disinhibited eating (T2, T3) were successively completed. Trait self-control was found to be negatively associated with negative affect, perceived mortality threat, and disinhibited eating during the mid-term and later stage of the pandemic. Disinhibited eating was positively associated with negative affect and perceived mortality threat. The longitudinal mediation results demonstrated that trait self-control (T1) could negatively predict disinhibited eating (T3) through negative affect (T2) rather than through perceived mortality threat. These findings suggest that trait self-control is of great importance in regulating psychological discomfort and disinhibited eating during stressful periods and that negative affect might be the main psychological mechanism underlying the relationship between self-control ability and disinhibited eating.

Better living through understanding the insula: Why subregions can make all the difference

Insula function is considered critical for many motivated behaviors, with proposed functions ranging from attention, behavioral control, emotional regulation, goal-directed and aversion-resistant responding. Further, the insula is implicated in many neuropsychiatric conditions including substance abuse. More recently, multiple insula subregions have been distinguished based on anatomy, connectivity, and functional contributions. Generally, posterior insula is thought to encode more somatosensory inputs, which integrate with limbic/emotional information in middle insula, that in turn integrate with cognitive processes in anterior insula. Together, these regions provide rapid interoceptive information about the current or predicted situation, facilitating autonomic recruitment and quick, flexible action. Here, we seek to create a robust foundation from which to understand potential subregion differences, and provide direction for future studies. We address subregion differences across humans and rodents, so that the latter's mechanistic interventions can best mesh with clinical relevance of human conditions. We first consider the insula's suggested roles in humans, then compare subregional studies, and finally describe rodent work. One primary goal is to encourage precision in describing insula subregions, since imprecision (e.g. including both posterior and anterior studies when describing insula work) does a disservice to a larger understanding of insula contributions. Additionally, we note that specific task details can greatly impact recruitment of various subregions, requiring care and nuance in design and interpretation of studies. Nonetheless, the central ethological importance of the insula makes continued research to uncover mechanistic, mood, and behavioral contributions of paramount importance and interest. This article is part of the special Issue on 'Neurocircuitry Modulating Drug and Alcohol Abuse'.