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Joss D, Lu J, Teicher MH, Lazar SW. Childhood adversity severity modulates the associations between adaptive psychological changes and amygdala volumetric changes in response to behavioral interventions. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2024; 15:100714. [PMID: 38314142 PMCID: PMC10836063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) has been shown to have detrimental impact on amygdala structure. Prior research found that adaptive psychological changes after Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) were associated with amygdala volumetric changes. The present study aims to further investigate whether such effects also occur among ACE survivors and whether the effects are unique to MBI. Methods A total of 64 young adult childhood adversity survivors were randomized to an eight-week MBI or Stress Management Education (SME) as an active control condition. Anatomical MRI and questionnaires on mindfulness, stress and psychological health were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Due to subject dropout, the final sample included 39 subjects (MBI:20, SME:19). Results Both groups showed increased mindfulness levels, reduced stress, and improved psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, and somatization), with no significant group by time interaction effect. There was no significant group difference on amygdala volumetric changes. Within the MBI group, childhood maltreatment severity was a significant mediator between changes of mindfulness levels and right amygdala volumetric changes. Across pooled sample of both groups, childhood maltreatment was a significant moderator for the effect of trait anxiety level changes on left amygdala volumetric changes. Limitations Modest sample size, relatively low retention rates, suboptimal monitoring of home practice. Conclusions MBI did not demonstrate overall better clinical effects than SME. Psychological-change-dependent amygdala volumetric change was not specific to MBI. Childhood maltreatment severity modulated the relationships between adaptive psychological changes and amygdala volumetric changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Joss
- Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Junjie Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health
| | - Martin H Teicher
- Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Sara W. Lazar
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Li S, Hao B, Dang W, He W, Luo W. Prioritized Identification of Fearful Eyes during the Attentional Blink Is Not Automatic. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1392. [PMID: 37891761 PMCID: PMC10605468 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye region conveys considerable information regarding an individual's emotions, motivations, and intentions during interpersonal communication. Evidence suggests that the eye regions of an individual expressing emotions can capture attention more rapidly than the eye regions of an individual in a neutral affective state. However, how attentional resources affect the processing of emotions conveyed by the eye regions remains unclear. Accordingly, the present study employed a dual-target rapid serial visual presentation task: happy, neutral, or fearful eye regions were presented as the second target, with a temporal lag between two targets of 232 or 696 ms. Participants completed two tasks successively: Task 1 was to identify which species the upright eye region they had seen belonged to, and Task 2 was to identify what emotion was conveyed in the upright eye region. The behavioral results showed that the accuracy for fearful eye regions was lower than that for neutral eye regions under the condition of limited attentional resources; however, accuracy differences across the three types of eye regions did not reach significance under the condition of adequate attentional resources. These findings indicate that preferential processing of fearful expressions is not automatic but is modulated by available attentional resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaixia Li
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China; (S.L.); (W.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Province, Dalian 116029, China
| | - Bin Hao
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China; (S.L.); (W.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Province, Dalian 116029, China
| | - Wei Dang
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China; (S.L.); (W.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Province, Dalian 116029, China
| | - Weiqi He
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China; (S.L.); (W.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Province, Dalian 116029, China
| | - Wenbo Luo
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China; (S.L.); (W.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Province, Dalian 116029, China
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Lukito S, Fortea L, Groppi F, Wykret KZ, Tosi E, Oliva V, Damiani S, Radua J, Fusar-Poli P. Should perception of emotions be classified according to threat detection rather than emotional valence? An updated meta-analysis for a whole-brain atlas of emotional faces processing. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2023; 48:E376-E389. [PMID: 37857413 PMCID: PMC10599659 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.230065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human navigation of social interactions relies on the processing of emotion on faces. This meta-analysis aimed to produce an updated brain atlas of emotional face processing from whole-brain studies based on a single emotional face-viewing paradigm (PROSPERO CRD42022251548). METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search of Embase, MEDLINE and PsycINFO from May 2008 to October 2021. We used seed-based d mapping with permutation of subject images to conduct a quantitative meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging contrasts between emotional (e.g., angry, happy) and neutral faces. We conducted agglomerative hierarchical clustering of meta-analytic map contrasts of emotional faces relative to neutral faces. We investigated lateralization of emotional face processing. RESULTS From 5549 studies identified, 55 data sets (1489 healthy participants) met our inclusion criteria. Relative to neutral faces, we found extensive activation clusters by fearful faces in the right inferior temporal gyrus, right fusiform area, left putamen and amygdala, right parahippocampalgyrus and cerebellum; we found smaller activation clusters by angry faces in the right cerebellum and right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and by disgusted faces in the left MTG. Happy and sad faces did not reach statistical significance. Clustering analyses showed similar activation patterns of fearful and angry faces; activation patterns of happy and sad faces showed the least correlation with other emotional faces. Emotional face processing was predominantly left-lateralized in the amygdala and anterior insula, and right-lateralized in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. LIMITATIONS Reliance on discretized effect sizes based on peak coordinate location instead of statistical brain maps, and the varying level of statistical threshold reporting from original studies, could lead to underdetection of smaller clusters of activation. CONCLUSION Processing of emotional faces appeared to be oriented toward identifying threats on faces, from highest (i.e., angry or fearful faces) to lowest level (i.e., happy or sad faces), with a more complex lateralization pattern than previously theorized. Emotional faces may be processed in latent grouping but organized by threat content rather than emotional valence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Lukito
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Lydia Fortea
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Federica Groppi
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Ksenia Zuzanna Wykret
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Eleonora Tosi
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Vincenzo Oliva
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Stefano Damiani
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Joaquim Radua
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Lukito); the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Fortea, Oliva, Radua); the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy (Groppi, Wykret, Tosi, Damiani, Fusar-Poli); the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy (Oliva); the Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom (Fusar-Poli); the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany (Fusar-Poli)
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Cesari V, Frumento S, Leo A, Baroni M, Rutigliano G, Gemignani A, Menicucci D. Functional correlates of subliminal stimulation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2023:S0165-0327(23)00682-1. [PMID: 37236272 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Patients with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exposed to traumatic reminders show hyperreactivity in brain areas (e.g., amygdala) belonging or related to the Innate Alarm System (IAS), allowing the rapid processing of salient stimuli. Evidence that IAS is activated by subliminal trauma-reminders could shed a new light on the factors precipitating and perpetuating PTSD symptomatology. Thus, we systematically reviewed studies investigating neuroimaging correlates of subliminal stimulation in PTSD. Twenty-three studies were selected from the MEDLINE and Scopus® databases for a qualitative synthesis, 5 of which allowed a further meta-analysis of fMRI data. The intensity of IAS responses to subliminal trauma-related reminders ranged from a minimum in healthy controls to a maximum in the PTSD patients with the most severe (e.g., dissociative) symptoms or the least responsiveness to treatment. Comparisons with other disorders (e.g., phobias) revealed contrasting results. Our findings demonstrate the hyperactivation of areas belonging or related to IAS in response to unconscious threats that should be integrated in diagnostic as well as in therapeutic protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cesari
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine University of Pisa, via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sergio Frumento
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine University of Pisa, via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Leo
- Department of translational research and advanced technologies in medicine and surgery, University of Pisa, Via Risorgimento, 36, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Baroni
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine University of Pisa, via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Grazia Rutigliano
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Angelo Gemignani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine University of Pisa, via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Clinical Psychology branch, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Danilo Menicucci
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine University of Pisa, via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Effects of spatially filtered fearful faces and awareness on amygdala activity in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A magnetoencephalography study. Neurosci Lett 2023; 800:137135. [PMID: 36804074 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The amygdala is pivotal in emotional face processing. Spatial frequencies (SFs) of visual images are divided and processed via two visual pathways: low spatial frequency (LSF) information is conveyed by the magnocellular pathway, while the parvocellular pathway carries high spatial frequency information. We hypothesized that altered amygdala activity might underlie atypical social communication caused by changes in both conscious and non-conscious emotional face processing in the brain in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD Eighteen adults with ASD and 18 typically developing (TD) peers participated in this study. Spatially filtered fearful- and neutral-expression faces and object stimuli were presented under supraliminal or subliminal conditions, and neuromagnetic responses in the amygdala were measured using 306-channel whole-head magnetoencephalography. RESULTS The latency of the evoked responses at approximately 200 ms to unfiltered neutral face stimuli and object stimuli in the ASD group was shorter than that in the TD group in the unaware condition. Regarding emotional face processing, the evoked responses in the ASD group were larger than those in the TD group under the aware condition. The later positive shift during 200-500 ms (ARV) was larger than that in the TD group, regardless of awareness. Moreover, ARV to HSF face stimuli was larger than that to the other spatial filtered face stimuli in the aware condition. CONCLUSION Regardless of awareness, ARV might reflect atypical face information processing in the ASD brain.
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Jones G, Lipson J, Wang E. Examining associations between MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelic use and impairments in social functioning in a U.S. adult sample. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2466. [PMID: 36774449 PMCID: PMC9922292 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29763-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairment in social functioning is a common source of morbidity across many mental health disorders, yet there is a dearth of effective and easily implemented interventions to support social functioning. MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, peyote, mescaline) represent two potential treatments for impairments in social functioning, as evidence suggests these compounds may be supportive for alleviating social difficulties. Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015-2019) (N = 214,505), we used survey-weighted multivariable ordinal and logistic regression to examine the associations between lifetime use of the aforementioned compounds and impairments in social functioning in the past year. Lifetime MDMA/ecstasy use was associated with lowered odds of three of our four social impairment outcomes: difficulty dealing with strangers (aOR 0.92), difficulty participating in social activities (aOR 0.90), and being prevented from participating in social activities (aOR 0.84). Lifetime mescaline use was also associated with lowered odds of difficulty dealing with strangers (aOR 0.85). All other substances either shared no relationship with impairments in social functioning or conferred increased odds of our outcomes. Future experimental studies can assess whether these relationships are causal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Jones
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 33 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Joshua Lipson
- Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA
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Meta-analytic connectivity modelling of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in autism spectrum disorders. Brain Imaging Behav 2023; 17:257-269. [PMID: 36633738 PMCID: PMC10049951 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00754-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Social and non-social deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) persist into adulthood and may share common regions of aberrant neural activations. The current meta-analysis investigated activation differences between ASD and neurotypical controls irrespective of task type. Activation likelihood estimation meta-analyses were performed to examine consistent hypo-activated and/or hyper-activated regions for all tasks combined, and for social and non-social tasks separately; meta-analytic connectivity modelling and behavioral/paradigm analyses were performed to examine co-activated regions and associated behaviors. One hundred studies (mean age range = 18-41 years) were included. For all tasks combined, the ASD group showed significant (p < .05) hypo-activation in one cluster around the left amygdala (peak - 26, -2, -20, volume = 1336 mm3, maximum ALE = 0.0327), and this cluster co-activated with two other clusters around the right cerebellum (peak 42, -56, -22, volume = 2560mm3, maximum ALE = 0.049) Lobule VI/Crus I and the left fusiform gyrus (BA47) (peak - 42, -46, -18, volume = 1616 mm3, maximum ALE = 0.046) and left cerebellum (peak - 42, -58, -20, volume = 1616mm3, maximum ALE = 0.033) Lobule VI/Crus I. While the left amygdala was associated with negative emotion (fear) (z = 3.047), the left fusiform gyrus/cerebellum Lobule VI/Crus I cluster was associated with language semantics (z = 3.724) and action observation (z = 3.077). These findings highlight the left amygdala as a region consistently hypo-activated in ASD and suggest the potential involvement of fusiform gyrus and cerebellum in social cognition in ASD. Future research should further elucidate if and how amygdala-fusiform/cerebellar connectivity relates to social and non-social cognition in adults with ASD.
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Sonkusare S, Qiong D, Zhao Y, Liu W, Yang R, Mandali A, Manssuer L, Zhang C, Cao C, Sun B, Zhan S, Voon V. Frequency dependent emotion differentiation and directional coupling in amygdala, orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortex network with intracranial recordings. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 28:1636-1646. [PMID: 36460724 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01883-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) form a crucial part of the emotion circuit, yet their emotion induced responses and interactions have been poorly investigated with direct intracranial recordings. Such high-fidelity signals can uncover precise spectral dynamics and frequency differences in valence processing allowing novel insights on neuromodulation. Here, leveraging the unique spatio-temporal advantages of intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) from a cohort of 35 patients with intractable epilepsy (with 71 contacts in amygdala, 31 in OFC and 43 in mPFC), we assessed the spectral dynamics and interactions between the amygdala, OFC and mPFC during an emotional picture viewing task. Task induced activity showed greater broadband gamma activity in the negative condition compared to positive condition in all the three regions. Similarly, beta activity was increased in the negative condition in the amygdala and OFC while decreased in mPFC. Furthermore, beta activity of amygdala showed significant negative association with valence ratings. Critically, model-based computational analyses revealed unidirectional connectivity from mPFC to the amygdala and bidirectional communication between OFC-amygdala and OFC-mPFC. Our findings provide direct neurophysiological evidence for a much-posited model of top-down influence of mPFC over amygdala and a bidirectional influence between OFC and the amygdala. Altogether, in a relatively large sample size with human intracranial neuronal recordings, we highlight valence-dependent spectral dynamics and dyadic coupling within the amygdala-mPFC-OFC network with implications for potential targeted neuromodulation in emotion processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Sonkusare
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ding Qiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijie Zhao
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoqi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Alekhya Mandali
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Luis Manssuer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chencheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyan Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bomin Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shikun Zhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centre for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Valerie Voon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Hoffman AN, Watson S, Chavda N, Lam J, Hovda DA, Giza CC, Fanselow MS. Increased Fear Generalization and Amygdala AMPA Receptor Proteins in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1561-1574. [PMID: 35722903 PMCID: PMC9689770 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairments and emotional lability are common long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). How TBI affects interactions between sensory, cognitive, and emotional systems may reveal mechanisms that underlie chronic mental health comorbidities. Previously, we reported changes in auditory-emotional network activity and enhanced fear learning early after TBI. In the current study, we asked whether TBI has long-term effects on fear learning and responses to novel stimuli. Four weeks following lateral fluid percussion injury (FPI) or sham surgery, adult male rats were fear conditioned to either white noise-shock or tone-shock pairing, or shock-only control and subsequently were tested for freezing to context and to the trained or novel auditory cues in a new context. FPI groups showed greater freezing to their trained auditory cue, indicating long-term TBI enhanced fear. Interestingly, FPI-Noise Shock animals displayed robust fear to the novel, untrained tone compared with Sham-Noise Shock across both experiments. Shock Only groups did not differ in freezing to either auditory stimulus. These findings suggest that TBI precipitates maladaptive associative fear generalization rather than non-associative sensitization. Basolateral amygdala (BLA) α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAr) subunits GluA1 and GluA2 levels were analyzed and the FPI-Noise Shock group had increased GluA1 (but not GluA2) levels that correlated with the level of tone fear generalization. This study illustrates a unique chronic TBI phenotype with both a cognitive impairment and increased fear and possibly altered synaptic transmission in the amygdala long after TBI, where stimulus generalization may underlie maladaptive fear and hyperarousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann N. Hoffman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Injury Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Staglin Center for Brain and Behavioral Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sonya Watson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Injury Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nishtha Chavda
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jamie Lam
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David A. Hovda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Injury Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christopher C. Giza
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Injury Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Mattel Children's Hospital, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Michael S. Fanselow
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Staglin Center for Brain and Behavioral Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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10
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Dahlén AD, Schofield A, Schiöth HB, Brooks SJ. Subliminal Emotional Faces Elicit Predominantly Right-Lateralized Amygdala Activation: A Systematic Meta-Analysis of fMRI Studies. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:868366. [PMID: 35924231 PMCID: PMC9339677 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.868366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior research suggests that conscious face processing occurs preferentially in right hemisphere occipito-parietal regions. However, less is known about brain regions associated with non-conscious processing of faces, and whether a right-hemispheric dominance persists in line with specific affective responses. We aim to review the neural responses systematically, quantitatively, and qualitatively underlying subliminal face processing. PubMed was searched for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) publications assessing subliminal emotional face stimuli up to March 2022. Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) meta-analyses and narrative reviews were conducted on all studies that met ALE requirements. Risk of bias was assessed using the AXIS tool. In a meta-analysis of all 22 eligible studies (merging clinical and non-clinical populations, whole brain and region of interest analyses), bilateral amygdala activation was reported in the left (x = −19.2, y = 1.5, z = −17.1) in 59% of studies, and in the right (x = 24.4, y = −1.7, z = −17.4) in 68% of studies. In a second meta-analysis of non-clinical participants only (n = 18), bilateral amygdala was again reported in the left (x = −18, y = 3.9, z = −18.4) and right (x = 22.8, y = −0.9, z = −17.4) in 56% of studies for both clusters. In a final meta-analysis of whole-brain studies only (n=14), bilateral amygdala was also reported in the left (x = −20.2, y = 2.9, z = −17.2) in 64% of studies, and right (x = 24.2, y = −0.7, z = −17.8) in 71% of studies. The findings suggest that non-consciously detected emotional faces may influence amygdala activation, especially right-lateralized (a higher percentage of convergence in studies), which are integral for pre-conscious affect and long-term memory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia D. Dahlén
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aphra Schofield
- Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Samantha J. Brooks
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Samantha J. Brooks
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11
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Green DGJ, Westwood DJ, Kim J, Best LM, Kish SJ, Tyndale RF, McCluskey T, Lobaugh NJ, Boileau I. Fatty acid amide hydrolase levels in brain linked with threat-related amygdala activation. NEUROIMAGE. REPORTS 2022; 2:100094. [PMID: 37235067 PMCID: PMC10206405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynirp.2022.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background Preclinical evidence suggests that increasing levels of the major endocannabinoid anandamide decreases anxiety and fear responses potentially through its effects in the amygdala. Here we used neuroimaging to test the hypothesis that lower fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the main catabolic enzyme for anandamide, is associated with a blunted amygdala response to threat. Methods Twenty-eight healthy participants completed a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with the radiotracer for FAAH, [11C]CURB, as well as a block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging session during which angry and fearful faces meant to activate the amygdala were presented. Results [11C]CURB binding in the amygdala as well as in the medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate and hippocampus correlated positively with blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal during processing of angry and fearful faces (pFWE < 0.05). Conclusion Our finding that lower levels of FAAH in amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate and hippocampus was associated with a dampened amygdala response to a threatening social cue aligns with preclinical and neuroimaging studies in humans and suggests the involvement of FAAH in modulating stress and anxiety in humans. The current neuroimaging study also lends support for the potential use of FAAH inhibitors to control amygdala hyperactivity, which is known to be involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan GJ. Green
- Addiction Imaging Research Group, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Jinhee Kim
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Korea University, Republic of Korea
| | - Laura M. Best
- Addiction Imaging Research Group, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephen J. Kish
- Human Brain Lab, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Pharmacology & Toxicology, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rachel F. Tyndale
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Pharmacology & Toxicology, Canada
| | - Tina McCluskey
- Human Brain Lab, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nancy J. Lobaugh
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Isabelle Boileau
- Addiction Imaging Research Group, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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12
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Battaglia S, Fabius JH, Moravkova K, Fracasso A, Borgomaneri S. The Neurobiological Correlates of Gaze Perception in Healthy Individuals and Neurologic Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030627. [PMID: 35327431 PMCID: PMC8945205 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to adaptively follow conspecific eye movements is crucial for establishing shared attention and survival. Indeed, in humans, interacting with the gaze direction of others causes the reflexive orienting of attention and the faster object detection of the signaled spatial location. The behavioral evidence of this phenomenon is called gaze-cueing. Although this effect can be conceived as automatic and reflexive, gaze-cueing is often susceptible to context. In fact, gaze-cueing was shown to interact with other factors that characterize facial stimulus, such as the kind of cue that induces attention orienting (i.e., gaze or non-symbolic cues) or the emotional expression conveyed by the gaze cues. Here, we address neuroimaging evidence, investigating the neural bases of gaze-cueing and the perception of gaze direction and how contextual factors interact with the gaze shift of attention. Evidence from neuroimaging, as well as the fields of non-invasive brain stimulation and neurologic patients, highlights the involvement of the amygdala and the superior temporal lobe (especially the superior temporal sulcus (STS)) in gaze perception. However, in this review, we also emphasized the discrepancies of the attempts to characterize the distinct functional roles of the regions in the processing of gaze. Finally, we conclude by presenting the notion of invariant representation and underline its value as a conceptual framework for the future characterization of the perceptual processing of gaze within the STS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Battaglia
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Jasper H. Fabius
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G128QB, UK; (J.H.F.); (K.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Katarina Moravkova
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G128QB, UK; (J.H.F.); (K.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Alessio Fracasso
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G128QB, UK; (J.H.F.); (K.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Sara Borgomaneri
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.B.)
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13
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Vogel M, Binneböse M, Lohmann CH, Junne F, Berth A, Riediger C. Are Anxiety and Depression Taking Sides with Knee-Pain in Osteoarthritis? J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11041094. [PMID: 35207366 PMCID: PMC8876729 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11041094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) bears a potential of rendering patients unsatisfied with the operation as a result of negative affectivity related to osteoarthritis and TKA. Not only is pain a lateralized experience, but negative affect and other psychosomatic correlates of pain might also be processed on grounds of lateralization. Lateralization in this context is likely linked to the amygdalae, which display differential left/right patterns of association with psychopathology. What is noteworthy is that osteoarthritis itself is linked not only to negative effects but also to childhood abuse. Method: The present study tests lateralization of psychosomatic correlates of knee-pain using the brief symptom inventory-18 (BSI-18), the dissociative experiences scale (FDS-20), the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia (TSK), the childhood trauma screener (CTS) and WOMAC. More precisely, we were interested in predicting the side of operations by means of the above-mentioned constructs using binary logistic regression, based on 150 participants (78 left knees) awaiting TKA for knee-osteoarthritis. Results: Somatization (p = 0.003), childhood abuse (p = 0.04) and pain-catastrophizing (p = 0.04) predicted operations on the right side. Anxiety (p = 0.001) and kinesiophobia (p = 0.002) predicted operations on the left side. Conclusions: Knee-pain may be differentially modulated by its psychosomatic correlates as a result of lateralization and corresponding patterns of psychosomatic reagibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Vogel
- Department of Psychosmatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.B.); (F.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-391-6714200; Fax: +49-391-6714202
| | - Marius Binneböse
- Department of Psychosmatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.B.); (F.J.)
| | - Christoph H. Lohmann
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (C.H.L.); (A.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Florian Junne
- Department of Psychosmatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.B.); (F.J.)
| | - Alexander Berth
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (C.H.L.); (A.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Christian Riediger
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (C.H.L.); (A.B.); (C.R.)
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14
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Zanini A, Salemme R, Farnè A, Brozzoli C. Associative learning in peripersonal space: fear responses are acquired in hand-centered coordinates. J Neurophysiol 2021; 126:864-874. [PMID: 34379522 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00157.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Space coding affects perception of stimuli associated to negative valence: threatening stimuli presented within the peripersonal space (PPS) speed up behavioral responses compared with nonthreatening events. However, it remains unclear whether the association between stimuli and their negative valence is acquired in a body part-centered reference system, a main feature of the PPS coding. Here we test the hypothesis that associative learning takes place in hand-centered coordinates and can therefore remap according to hand displacement. In two experiments, we used a Pavlovian fear-learning paradigm to associate a visual stimulus [light circle, the conditioned stimulus (CS)] with an aversive stimulus (electrocutaneous shock) applied on the right hand only when the CS was displayed close (CS+) but when not far from it (CS-). Measuring the skin conductance response (SCR), we observed successful fear conditioning, with increased anticipatory fear responses associated with CS+. Crucially, experiment I showed a remapping of these responses following hand displacement, with a generalization to both types of CS. Experiment II corroborated and further extended our findings by ruling out the novelty of the experimental context as a driving factor of such modulations. Indeed, fear responses were present only for stimuli within the PPS but not for new stimuli displayed outside the PPS. By revealing a hand-centered (re)mapping of the conditioning effect, these findings indicate that associative learning can arise in hand-centered coordinates. They further suggest that the threatening valence of an object also depends on its basic spatial relationship with our body.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Associative fear learning takes place in hand-centered coordinates. Using a Pavlovian fear-learning paradigm, we show that the anticipatory skin conductance response indicating the association between the negative value and an initially neutral stimulus is acquired and then remapped in space when the stimulated body part moves to a different position. These results demonstrate the relationship between the representation of peripersonal space and the encoding of threatening stimuli. Hypotheses concerning the underlying neural network are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zanini
- Impact-Integrative Multisensory Perception Action and Cognition Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France.,University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France
| | - R Salemme
- Impact-Integrative Multisensory Perception Action and Cognition Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France.,University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Neuro-immersion-Mouvement et Handicap, Lyon, France
| | - A Farnè
- Impact-Integrative Multisensory Perception Action and Cognition Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France.,University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Neuro-immersion-Mouvement et Handicap, Lyon, France.,Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - C Brozzoli
- Impact-Integrative Multisensory Perception Action and Cognition Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France.,University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Neuro-immersion-Mouvement et Handicap, Lyon, France.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Kerr WT, Lee JK, Karimi AH, Tatekawa H, Hickman LB, Connerney M, Sreenivasan SS, Dubey I, Allas CH, Smith JM, Savic I, Silverman DHS, Hadjiiski LM, Beimer NJ, Stacey WC, Cohen MS, Engel J, Feusner JD, Salamon N, Stern JM. A minority of patients with functional seizures have abnormalities on neuroimaging. J Neurol Sci 2021; 427:117548. [PMID: 34216975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Functional seizures often are managed incorrectly as a diagnosis of exclusion. However, a significant minority of patients with functional seizures may have abnormalities on neuroimaging that typically are associated with epilepsy, leading to diagnostic confusion. We evaluated the rate of epilepsy-associated findings on MRI, FDG-PET, and CT in patients with functional seizures. METHODS We studied radiologists' reports from neuroimages at our comprehensive epilepsy center from a consecutive series of patients diagnosed with functional seizures without comorbid epilepsy from 2006 to 2019. We summarized the MRI, FDG-PET, and CT results as follows: within normal limits, incidental findings, unrelated findings, non-specific abnormalities, post-operative study, epilepsy risk factors (ERF), borderline epilepsy-associated findings (EAF), and definitive EAF. RESULTS Of the 256 MRIs, 23% demonstrated ERF (5%), borderline EAF (8%), or definitive EAF (10%). The most common EAF was hippocampal sclerosis, with the majority of borderline EAF comprising hippocampal atrophy without T2 hyperintensity or vice versa. Of the 87 FDG-PETs, 26% demonstrated borderline EAF (17%) or definitive EAF (8%). Epilepsy-associated findings primarily included focal hypometabolism, especially of the temporal lobes, with borderline findings including subtle or questionable hypometabolism. Of the 51 CTs, only 2% had definitive EAF. SIGNIFICANCE This large case series provides further evidence that, while uncommon, EAF are seen in patients with functional seizures. A significant portion of these abnormal findings are borderline. The moderately high rate of these abnormalities may represent framing bias from the indication of the study being "seizures," the relative subtlety of EAF, or effects of antiseizure medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley T Kerr
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - John K Lee
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amir H Karimi
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Tatekawa
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - L Brian Hickman
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michael Connerney
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Ishita Dubey
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Corinne H Allas
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jena M Smith
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ivanka Savic
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute and Neurology Clinic, Karolinksa University Hospital, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel H S Silverman
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lubomir M Hadjiiski
- Department of Radiology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas J Beimer
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William C Stacey
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mark S Cohen
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Departments of Bioengineering, Psychology and Biomedical Physics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jerome Engel
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jamie D Feusner
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute and Neurology Clinic, Karolinksa University Hospital, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Noriko Salamon
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John M Stern
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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16
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Framorando D, Moses E, Legrand L, Seeck M, Pegna AJ. Rapid processing of fearful faces relies on the right amygdala: evidence from individuals undergoing unilateral temporal lobectomy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:426. [PMID: 33432073 PMCID: PMC7801587 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80054-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Facial expressions of emotions have been shown to modulate early ERP components, in particular the N170. The underlying anatomical structure producing these early effects are unclear. In this study, we examined the N170 enhancement for fearful expressions in healthy controls as well as epileptic patients after unilateral left or right amygdala resection. We observed a greater N170 for fearful faces in healthy participants as well as in individuals with left amygdala resections. By contrast, the effect was not observed in patients who had undergone surgery in which the right amygdala had been removed. This result demonstrates that the amygdala produces an early brain response to fearful faces. This early response relies specifically on the right amygdala and occurs at around 170 ms. It is likely that such increases are due to a heightened response of the extrastriate cortex that occurs through rapid amygdalofugal projections to the visual areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Framorando
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4068, Australia
| | - Eleanor Moses
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4068, Australia
| | - Lore Legrand
- Unit for Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy, Neurology Clinic, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Margitta Seeck
- Unit for Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy, Neurology Clinic, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alan J Pegna
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4068, Australia.
- Unit for Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy, Neurology Clinic, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland.
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17
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Joss D, Khan A, Lazar SW, Teicher MH. A pilot study on amygdala volumetric changes among young adults with childhood maltreatment histories after a mindfulness intervention. Behav Brain Res 2020; 399:113023. [PMID: 33249071 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala morphometry is highly sensitive to stress and is implicated in various psychopathologies that are common among individuals with childhood maltreatment histories. This pilot study investigated bilateral amygdala volumetric changes among 15 young adults with childhood maltreatment histories undergoing an eight-week mindfulness intervention compared to 19 matched participants in a waitlist control group. Results indicated significant cross-individual variability in amygdala volumetric changes after the intervention, which resulted in no significant group by time interaction effect. Degree and direction of changes in right amygdala volume correlated with baseline volumes, with larger than average right amygdala showing an increase in volume and smaller amygdala a decrease. Increasing right amygdala volume was also associated with higher intervention compliance, and a greater increase in self-compassion. Increasing left amygdala volume was associated with more reduction in perceived stress, rejection sensitivity and interpersonal distress. Findings from the present study highlight the importance of investigating individual variability and its contributing factors in future studies on neural responses of mindfulness interventions, as well as the distinct responses of the left and right amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Joss
- Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alaptagin Khan
- Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara W Lazar
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin H Teicher
- Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Allen HN, Bobnar HJ, Kolber BJ. Left and right hemispheric lateralization of the amygdala in pain. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 196:101891. [PMID: 32730859 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hemispheric asymmetries within the brain have been identified across taxa and have been extensively studied since the early 19th century. Here, we discuss lateralization of a brain structure, the amygdala, and how this lateralization is reshaping how we understand the role of the amygdala in pain processing. The amygdala is an almond-shaped, bilateral brain structure located within the limbic system. Historically, the amygdala was known to have a role in the processing of emotions and attaching emotional valence to memories and other experiences. The amygdala has been extensively studied in fear conditioning and affect but recently has been shown to have an important role in processing noxious information and impacting pain. The amygdala is composed of multiple nuclei; of special interest is the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). The CeA receives direct nociceptive inputs from the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) through the spino-parabrachio-amygdaloid pathway as well as more highly processed cortical and thalamic input via the lateral and basolateral amygdala. Although the amygdala is a bilateral brain region, most data investigating the amygdala's role in pain have been generated from the right CeA, which has an overwhelmingly pro-nociceptive function across pain models. The left CeA has often been characterized to have no effect on pain modulation, a dampened pro-nociceptive function, or most recently an anti-nociceptive function. This review explores the current literature on CeA lateralization and the hemispheres' respective roles in the processing and modulation of different forms of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather N Allen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, United States
| | - Harley J Bobnar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, United States
| | - Benedict J Kolber
- Department of Biological Sciences and Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, United States; Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, United States.
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19
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Bruchmann M, Schindler S, Straube T. The spatial frequency spectrum of fearful faces modulates early and mid‐latency ERPs but not the N170. Psychophysiology 2020; 57:e13597. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Bruchmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience University of Muenster Münster Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience University of Muenster Münster Germany
| | - Sebastian Schindler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience University of Muenster Münster Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience University of Muenster Münster Germany
| | - Thomas Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience University of Muenster Münster Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience University of Muenster Münster Germany
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20
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Herrmann L, Vicheva P, Kasties V, Danyeli LV, Szycik GR, Denzel D, Fan Y, Meer JVD, Vester JC, Eskoetter H, Schultz M, Walter M. fMRI Revealed Reduced Amygdala Activation after Nx4 in Mildly to Moderately Stressed Healthy Volunteers in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Trial. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3802. [PMID: 32123197 PMCID: PMC7052227 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Social stress contributes to major societal health burdens, such as anxiety disorders and nervousness. Nx4 has been found to modulate stress responses. We investigated whether dampening of such responses is associated with neuronal correlates in brain regions involved in stress and anxiety. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial, 39 healthy males took a single dose (three tablets) of either placebo or Nx4, 40 to 60 minutes before an fMRI scan session. We here report on drug effects on amygdala responses during a face-matching task, which was performed during a complex test battery further including resting-state brain connectivity and a social stress experiment. The first of the Primary Outcomes, defined in a hierarchical order, concerned reduced amygdala effects after intake of verum compared to placebo. We found a statistically significant reduction in differential activations in the left amygdala for the contrast negative faces versus forms during verum versus placebo condition. Our results indicate that effects of Nx4 can be monitored in the brain. Previously noted effects on stress responses may thus be modulated by affective brain regions including the amygdala.
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Grants
- L.H. attended conferences with financial support for travel from Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, 76532, Germany
- L.D. attended conferences with financial support for travel from Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, 76532, Germany
- J.C.V is a senior biometric consultant of idv Datenanalyse & Versuchsplanung (conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing) and received personal fees for biometric services from the Foundation of the Society for the Study of Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity (SSNN) outside the submitted work, and idv Datenanalyse & Versuchsplanung received payments for biometric services from Heel, University Medical Center Göttigen, IgNova GmbH, Abnoba GmbH, AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG, IDEA AG, PBB Entrepreneur Ltd, Tillots Pharma AG, STORZ Medical AG, EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH, MUCOS Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH outside the submitted work.
- H.E. was employed by Heel during this study (validation, writing – review & editing, project administration), and received personal fees from Bionorica SE and Life Science Academy (EasyB S.r.l.) outside of the submitted work.
- M.S. is employed by Heel (conceptualization, project administration, methodology, validation, writing – review & editing, supervision).
- M.W. received institutional research support from Heel paid to his institution for this study, and from BrainWaveBank and H. Lundbeck A/S outside the submitted work. The University of Tübingen received institutional fees for advisory services by Prof. Walter from Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Servier Deutschland GmbH, Bayer AG and Janssen-Cilag GmbH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Petya Vicheva
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Vanessa Kasties
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Lena V Danyeli
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Department of Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, 39118, Germany
| | - Gregor R Szycik
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, 30625, Germany
| | - Dominik Denzel
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Yan Fan
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité-CBF, Berlin, 12203, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, 07743, Germany.
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Department of Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, 39118, Germany.
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21
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Longitudinal changes of resting-state functional connectivity of amygdala following fear learning and extinction. Int J Psychophysiol 2020; 149:15-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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22
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Lin H, Müller-Bardorff M, Gathmann B, Brieke J, Mothes-Lasch M, Bruchmann M, Miltner WHR, Straube T. Stimulus arousal drives amygdalar responses to emotional expressions across sensory modalities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1898. [PMID: 32024891 PMCID: PMC7002496 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors that drive amygdalar responses to emotionally significant stimuli are still a matter of debate - particularly the proneness of the amygdala to respond to negatively-valenced stimuli has been discussed controversially. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether the amygdala responds in a modality-general fashion or whether modality-specific idiosyncrasies exist. Therefore, the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study systematically investigated amygdalar responding to stimulus valence and arousal of emotional expressions across visual and auditory modalities. During scanning, participants performed a gender judgment task while prosodic and facial emotional expressions were presented. The stimuli varied in stimulus valence and arousal by including neutral, happy and angry expressions of high and low emotional intensity. Results demonstrate amygdalar activation as a function of stimulus arousal and accordingly associated emotional intensity regardless of stimulus valence. Furthermore, arousal-driven amygdalar responding did not depend on the visual and auditory modalities of emotional expressions. Thus, the current results are consistent with the notion that the amygdala codes general stimulus relevance across visual and auditory modalities irrespective of valence. In addition, whole brain analyses revealed that effects in visual and auditory areas were driven mainly by high intense emotional facial and vocal stimuli, respectively, suggesting modality-specific representations of emotional expressions in auditory and visual cortices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyan Lin
- Institute of Applied Psychology, School of Public Administration, Guangdong University of Finance, 510521, Guangzhou, China.
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, 48149, Muenster, Germany.
| | - Miriam Müller-Bardorff
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Bettina Gathmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jaqueline Brieke
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Martin Mothes-Lasch
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Maximilian Bruchmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang H R Miltner
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, 48149, Muenster, Germany
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23
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Reduced left amygdala volume in patients with dissociative seizures (psychogenic nonepileptic seizures). Seizure 2020; 75:43-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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24
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Cushing CA, Im HY, Adams RB, Ward N, Kveraga K. Magnocellular and parvocellular pathway contributions to facial threat cue processing. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 14:151-162. [PMID: 30721981 PMCID: PMC6382926 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Human faces evolved to signal emotions, with their meaning contextualized by eye gaze. For instance, a fearful expression paired with averted gaze clearly signals both presence of threat and its probable location. Conversely, direct gaze paired with facial fear leaves the source of the fear-evoking threat ambiguous. Given that visual perception occurs in parallel streams with different processing emphases, our goal was to test a recently developed hypothesis that clear and ambiguous threat cues would differentially engage the magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) pathways, respectively. We employed two-tone face images to characterize the neurodynamics evoked by stimuli that were biased toward M or P pathways. Human observers (N = 57) had to identify the expression of fearful or neutral faces with direct or averted gaze while their magnetoencephalogram was recorded. Phase locking between the amygdaloid complex, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and fusiform gyrus increased early (0–300 ms) for M-biased clear threat cues (averted-gaze fear) in the β-band (13–30 Hz) while P-biased ambiguous threat cues (direct-gaze fear) evoked increased θ (4–8 Hz) phase locking in connections with OFC of the right hemisphere. We show that M and P pathways are relatively more sensitive toward clear and ambiguous threat processing, respectively, and characterize the neurodynamics underlying emotional face processing in the M and P pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Cushing
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Hee Yeon Im
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reginald B Adams
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Noreen Ward
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kestutis Kveraga
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Ma L, Steinberg JL, Bjork JM, Wang Q, Hettema JM, Abbate A, Moeller FG. Altered Effective Connectivity of Central Autonomic Network in Response to Negative Facial Expression in Adults With Cannabis Use Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 5:84-96. [PMID: 31345781 PMCID: PMC8598077 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of stress-related adverse cardiovascular events. Because brain regions of the central autonomic network largely overlap with brain regions related to the neural response to emotion and stress, the central autonomic network may mediate the autonomic response to negative emotional stimuli. We aimed to obtain evidence to determine whether neural connectivity of the central autonomic network is altered in individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) when they are exposed to negative emotional stimuli. METHODS Effective (directional) connectivity (EC) analysis using dynamic causal modeling was applied to functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired from 23 subjects with CUD and 23 control subjects of the Human Connectome Project while they performed an emotional face-matching task with interleaving periods of negative-face (fearful/angry) and neutral-shape stimuli. The EC difference (modulatory change) was measured during the negative-face trials relative to the neutral-shape trials. RESULTS The CUD group was similar to the control group in nonimaging measures and brain activations but showed greater modulatory changes in left amygdala to hypothalamus EC (positively associated with Perceived Stress Scale score), right amygdala to bilateral fusiform gyri ECs (positively associated with Perceived Stress Scale score), and left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex to bilateral fusiform gyri ECs (negatively associated with Perceived Stress Scale score). CONCLUSIONS Left amygdala to hypothalamus EC and right amygdala to bilateral fusiform gyri ECs are possibly part of circuits underlying the risk of individuals with CUD to stress-related disorders. Correspondingly, left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex to bilateral fusiform gyri ECs are possibly part of circuits reflecting a protective mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangsuo Ma
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Radiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
| | - Joel L Steinberg
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - James M Bjork
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Qin Wang
- Information Systems, Statistics, and Management Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
| | - John M Hettema
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Antonio Abbate
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - F Gerard Moeller
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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26
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Differential functional patterns of the human posterior cingulate cortex during activation and deactivation: a meta-analytic connectivity model. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:2367-2385. [PMID: 31292696 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05595-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) has been implicated in a host of cognitive and behavioral processes in addition to serving as a central hub in the default mode network (DMN). Moreover, the PCC has been shown to be involved in a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, very little is known about the specific activated/deactivated functional profiles of the PCC. Here, we employed a dual analytic approach using robust quantitative meta-analytical connectivity modeling (MACM) and ultra-high field, high resolution resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to identify state-specific functional activity patterns of the human PCC. The MACM results provided evidence for regions of convergence for PCC co-activation and co-deactivation (i.e., left medial frontal gyrus, left amygdala, and left anterior cingulate) as well as regions of divergence specific to either PCC activation (i.e., bilateral inferior frontal gyri) or PCC deactivation (i.e., left parahippocampal gyrus). In addition, exploratory MACMs on dorsal and ventral subregions of the PCC revealed differential functional activity patterns such as greater co-activation of the right PCC and left inferior parietal lobule with the dorsal PCC and greater co-activation of right precuneus with the ventral PCC. Resting state connectivity analyses showed widespread connectivity similar to that of the PCC co-activation-based MACM, but also demonstrated additional regions of activity, including bilateral superior parietal regions and right superior temporal regions. These analyses highlight the diverse neurofunctional repertoire of the human PCC, provide additional insight into its dynamic functional activity patterns as it switches between activated and deactivated states, and elucidates the cognitive processes that may be implicated in clinical populations.
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27
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Orienting asymmetries and physiological reactivity in dogs' response to human emotional faces. Learn Behav 2019; 46:574-585. [PMID: 29923158 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-018-0325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recent scientific literature shows that emotional cues conveyed by human vocalizations and odours are processed in an asymmetrical way by the canine brain. In the present study, during feeding behaviour, dogs were suddenly presented with 2-D stimuli depicting human faces expressing the Ekman's six basic emotion (e.g. anger, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, disgust, and neutral), simultaneously into the left and right visual hemifields. A bias to turn the head towards the left (right hemisphere) rather than the right side was observed with human faces expressing anger, fear, and happiness emotions, but an opposite bias (left hemisphere) was observed with human faces expressing surprise. Furthermore, dogs displayed higher behavioural and cardiac activity to picture of human faces expressing clear arousal emotional state. Overall, results demonstrated that dogs are sensitive to emotional cues conveyed by human faces, supporting the existence of an asymmetrical emotional modulation of the canine brain to process basic human emotions.
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28
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Müller-Bardorff M, Bruchmann M, Mothes-Lasch M, Zwitserlood P, Schlossmacher I, Hofmann D, Miltner W, Straube T. Early brain responses to affective faces: A simultaneous EEG-fMRI study. Neuroimage 2018; 178:660-667. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.05.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
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29
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Rizzo G, Milardi D, Bertino S, Basile GA, Di Mauro D, Calamuneri A, Chillemi G, Silvestri G, Anastasi G, Bramanti A, Cacciola A. The Limbic and Sensorimotor Pathways of the Human Amygdala: A Structural Connectivity Study. Neuroscience 2018; 385:166-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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30
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Hung Y, Saygin ZM, Biederman J, Hirshfeld-Becker D, Uchida M, Doehrmann O, Han M, Chai XJ, Kenworthy T, Yarmak P, Gaillard SL, Whitfield-Gabrieli S, Gabrieli JDE. Impaired Frontal-Limbic White Matter Maturation in Children at Risk for Major Depression. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:4478-4491. [PMID: 27578495 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is among the most common neuropsychiatric disorders. It remains unclear whether brain abnormalities associated with depression reflect the pathological state of the disease or neurobiological traits predisposing individuals to depression. Parental history of depression is a risk factor that more than triples the risk of depression. We compared white matter (WM) microstructure cross-sectionally in 40 children ages 8-14 with versus without parental history of depression (At-Risk vs. Control). There were significant differences in age-related changes of fractional anisotropy (FA) between the groups, localized in the anterior fronto-limbic WM pathways, including the anterior cingulum and the genu of the corpus callosum. Control children exhibited typical increasing FA with age, whereas At-Risk children exhibited atypical decreasing FA with age in these fronto-limbic regions. Furthermore, dorsal cingulate FA significantly correlated with depressive symptoms for At-Risk children. The results suggest maturational WM microstructure differences in mood-regulatory neurocircuitry that may contribute to neurodevelopmental risk for depression. The study provides new insights into neurodevelopmental susceptibility to depression and related disabilities that may promote early preventive intervention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Hung
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Zeynep M Saygin
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joseph Biederman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Mai Uchida
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Oliver Doehrmann
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michelle Han
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xiaoqian J Chai
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tara Kenworthy
- Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pavel Yarmak
- Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, ON M5S 1A1
| | | | - Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John D E Gabrieli
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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31
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McKendrick M, Butler SH, Grealy MA. Socio-cognitive load and social anxiety in an emotional anti-saccade task. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197749. [PMID: 29795619 PMCID: PMC5967794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The anti-saccade task has been used to measure attentional control related to general anxiety but less so with social anxiety specifically. Previous research has not been conclusive in suggesting that social anxiety may lead to difficulties in inhibiting faces. It is possible that static face paradigms do not convey a sufficient social threat to elicit an inhibitory response in socially anxious individuals. The aim of the current study was twofold. We investigated the effect of social anxiety on performance in an anti-saccade task with neutral or emotional faces preceded either by a social stressor (Experiment 1), or valenced sentence primes designed to increase the social salience of the task (Experiment 2). Our results indicated that latencies were significantly longer for happy than angry faces. Additionally, and surprisingly, high anxious participants made more erroneous anti-saccades to neutral than angry and happy faces, whilst the low anxious groups exhibited a trend in the opposite direction. Results are consistent with a general approach-avoidance response for positive and threatening social information. However increased socio-cognitive load may alter attentional control with high anxious individuals avoiding emotional faces, but finding it more difficult to inhibit ambiguous faces. The effects of social sentence primes on attention appear to be subtle but suggest that the anti-saccade task will only elicit socially relevant responses where the paradigm is more ecologically valid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mel McKendrick
- School of Life Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephen H. Butler
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Madeleine A. Grealy
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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32
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Zhang X, Cheng H, Zuo Z, Zhou K, Cong F, Wang B, Zhuo Y, Chen L, Xue R, Fan Y. Individualized Functional Parcellation of the Human Amygdala Using a Semi-supervised Clustering Method: A 7T Resting State fMRI Study. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:270. [PMID: 29755313 PMCID: PMC5932177 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The amygdala plays an important role in emotional functions and its dysfunction is considered to be associated with multiple psychiatric disorders in humans. Cytoarchitectonic mapping has demonstrated that the human amygdala complex comprises several subregions. However, it's difficult to delineate boundaries of these subregions in vivo even if using state of the art high resolution structural MRI. Previous attempts to parcellate this small structure using unsupervised clustering methods based on resting state fMRI data suffered from the low spatial resolution of typical fMRI data, and it remains challenging for the unsupervised methods to define subregions of the amygdala in vivo. In this study, we developed a novel brain parcellation method to segment the human amygdala into spatially contiguous subregions based on 7T high resolution fMRI data. The parcellation was implemented using a semi-supervised spectral clustering (SSC) algorithm at an individual subject level. Under guidance of prior information derived from the Julich cytoarchitectonic atlas, our method clustered voxels of the amygdala into subregions according to similarity measures of their functional signals. As a result, three distinct amygdala subregions can be obtained in each hemisphere for every individual subject. Compared with the cytoarchitectonic atlas, our method achieved better performance in terms of subregional functional homogeneity. Validation experiments have also demonstrated that the amygdala subregions obtained by our method have distinctive, lateralized functional connectivity (FC) patterns. Our study has demonstrated that the semi-supervised brain parcellation method is a powerful tool for exploring amygdala subregional functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianchang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hewei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhentao Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Zhou
- College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Center for Language and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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33
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Sun D, Shao R, Wang Z, Lee TMC. Perceived Gaze Direction Modulates Neural Processing of Prosocial Decision Making. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:52. [PMID: 29487516 PMCID: PMC5816754 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaze direction is a common social cue implying potential interpersonal interaction. However, little is known about the neural processing of social decision making influenced by perceived gaze direction. Here, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) method to investigate 27 females when they were engaging in an economic exchange game task during which photos of direct or averted eye gaze were shown. We found that, when averted but not direct gaze was presented, prosocial vs. selfish choices were associated with stronger activations in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) as well as larger functional couplings between right STG and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Moreover, stronger activations in right STG was associated with quicker actions for making prosocial choice accompanied with averted gaze. The findings suggest that, when the cue implying social contact is absent, the processing of understanding others’ intention and the relationship between self and others is more involved for making prosocial than selfish decisions. These findings could advance our understanding of the roles of subtle cues in influencing prosocial decision making, as well as shedding lights on deficient social cue processing and functioning among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Delin Sun
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
| | - Robin Shao
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Zhaoxin Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tatia M C Lee
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Institute of Clinical Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
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34
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Cushing CA, Im HY, Adams RB, Ward N, Albohn DN, Steiner TG, Kveraga K. Neurodynamics and connectivity during facial fear perception: The role of threat exposure and signal congruity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2776. [PMID: 29426826 PMCID: PMC5807432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20509-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fearful faces convey threat cues whose meaning is contextualized by eye gaze: While averted gaze is congruent with facial fear (both signal avoidance), direct gaze (an approach signal) is incongruent with it. We have previously shown using fMRI that the amygdala is engaged more strongly by fear with averted gaze during brief exposures. However, the amygdala also responds more to fear with direct gaze during longer exposures. Here we examined previously unexplored brain oscillatory responses to characterize the neurodynamics and connectivity during brief (~250 ms) and longer (~883 ms) exposures of fearful faces with direct or averted eye gaze. We performed two experiments: one replicating the exposure time by gaze direction interaction in fMRI (N = 23), and another where we confirmed greater early phase locking to averted-gaze fear (congruent threat signal) with MEG (N = 60) in a network of face processing regions, regardless of exposure duration. Phase locking to direct-gaze fear (incongruent threat signal) then increased significantly for brief exposures at ~350 ms, and at ~700 ms for longer exposures. Our results characterize the stages of congruent and incongruent facial threat signal processing and show that stimulus exposure strongly affects the onset and duration of these stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Cushing
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Hee Yeon Im
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reginald B Adams
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Noreen Ward
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Daniel N Albohn
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Troy G Steiner
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kestutis Kveraga
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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35
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Jung YH, Shin JE, Lee YI, Jang JH, Jo HJ, Choi SH. Altered Amygdala Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Hemispheric Asymmetry in Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:164. [PMID: 29755374 PMCID: PMC5932339 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The amygdala plays a key role in emotional hyperreactivity in response to social threat in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). We investigated resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FCN) of the left and right amygdala with various brain regions and functional lateralization in patients with SAD. Methods: A total of 36 patients with SAD and 42 matched healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at rest. Using the left and right amygdala as seed regions, we compared the strength of the rs-FCN in the patient and control groups. Furthermore, we investigated group differences in the hemispheric asymmetry of the functional connectivity maps of the left and right amygdala. Results: Compared with healthy controls, the rs-FCN between the left amygdala and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was reduced in patients with SAD, whereas left amygdala connectivity with the fusiform gyrus, anterior insula, supramarginal gyrus, and precuneus was increased or positively deflected in the patient group. Additionally, the strength rs-FCN between the left amygdala and anterior insula was positively associated with the severity of the fear of negative evaluation in patients with SAD (r = 0.338, p = 0.044). The rs-FCN between the right amygdala and medial frontal gyrus was decreased in patients with SAD compared with healthy controls, whereas connectivity with the parahippocampal gyrus was greater in the patient group than in the control group. The hemispheric asymmetry patterns in the anterior insula, intraparietal sulcus (IPS), and inferior frontal gyrus of the patient group were opposite those of the control group, and functional lateralization of the connectivity between the amygdala and the IPS was associated with the severity of social anxiety symptoms (r = 0.365, p = 0.037). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in addition to impaired fronto-amygdala communication, the functional lateralization of amygdala function plays a central role in the pathophysiology of SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Ha Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung E Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoonji I Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joon H Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hang J Jo
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Soo-Hee Choi
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine in SNU-MRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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36
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Im HY, Adams RB, Boshyan J, Ward N, Cushing CA, Kveraga K. Observer's anxiety facilitates magnocellular processing of clear facial threat cues, but impairs parvocellular processing of ambiguous facial threat cues. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15151. [PMID: 29123215 PMCID: PMC5680327 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15495-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Facial expression and eye gaze provide a shared signal about threats. While a fear expression with averted gaze clearly points to the source of threat, direct-gaze fear renders the source of threat ambiguous. Separable routes have been proposed to mediate these processes, with preferential attunement of the magnocellular (M) pathway to clear threat, and of the parvocellular (P) pathway to threat ambiguity. Here we investigated how observers’ trait anxiety modulates M- and P-pathway processing of clear and ambiguous threat cues. We scanned subjects (N = 108) widely ranging in trait anxiety while they viewed fearful or neutral faces with averted or directed gaze, with the luminance and color of face stimuli calibrated to selectively engage M- or P-pathways. Higher anxiety facilitated processing of clear threat projected to M-pathway, but impaired perception of ambiguous threat projected to P-pathway. Increased right amygdala reactivity was associated with higher anxiety for M-biased averted-gaze fear, while increased left amygdala reactivity was associated with higher anxiety for P-biased, direct-gaze fear. This lateralization was more pronounced with higher anxiety. Our findings suggest that trait anxiety differentially affects perception of clear (averted-gaze fear) and ambiguous (direct-gaze fear) facial threat cues via selective engagement of M and P pathways and lateralized amygdala reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Yeon Im
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reginald B Adams
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Jasmine Boshyan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noreen Ward
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Cody A Cushing
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kestutis Kveraga
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA. .,Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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37
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Bhattacharyya S, Egerton A, Kim E, Rosso L, Riano Barros D, Hammers A, Brammer M, Turkheimer FE, Howes OD, McGuire P. Acute induction of anxiety in humans by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol related to amygdalar cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15025. [PMID: 29101333 PMCID: PMC5670208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14203-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Use of Cannabis, the most widely used illicit drug worldwide, is associated with acute anxiety, and anxiety disorders following regular use. The precise neural and receptor basis of these effects have not been tested in man. Employing a combination of functional MRI (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), we investigated whether the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, on anxiety and on amygdala response while processing fearful stimuli were related to local availability of its main central molecular target, cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors in man. Fourteen healthy males were studied with fMRI twice, one month apart, following an oral dose of either delta-9-THC (10 mg) or placebo, while they performed a fear-processing task. Baseline availability of the CB1 receptor was studied using PET with [11C]MePPEP, a CB1 inverse agonist radioligand. Relative to the placebo condition, delta-9-THC induced anxiety and modulated right amygdala activation while processing fear. Both these effects were positively correlated with CB1 receptor availability in the right amygdala. These results suggest that the acute effects of cannabis on anxiety in males are mediated by the modulation of amygdalar function by delta-9-THC and the extent of these effects are related to local availability of CB1 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Alice Egerton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Euitae Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Lula Rosso
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Alexander Hammers
- King's College London & Guy's and St Thomas' PET Centre, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 4th floor Lambeth Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Michael Brammer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, PO Box 089, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Federico E Turkheimer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, PO Box 089, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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38
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Ito A, Niwano K, Tanabe M, Sato Y, Fujii T. Activity changes in the left superior temporal sulcus reflect the effects of childcare training on young female students' perceptions of infants' negative facial expressions. Neurosci Res 2017; 131:36-44. [PMID: 28916469 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In many developed countries, the number of infants who experience non-parent childcare is increasing, and the role of preschool teachers is becoming more important. However, little attention has been paid to the effects of childcare training on students who are studying to become preschool teachers. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate whether and how childcare training affects brain responses to infants' facial expressions among young females studying to become preschool teachers. Twenty-seven subjects who attended a childcare training session (i.e., the experimental group) and 28 subjects who did not attend the training (i.e., the control group) participated in this study. The participants went through fMRI scanning twice: before and after the childcare training session. They were presented with happy, neutral, and sad infant faces one by one during fMRI scanning. The present neuroimaging results revealed that the activity patterns of the left superior temporal sulcus (STS) for sad faces were modulated by the interaction between the time point of the data collection and group differences. The present results are the first to highlight the effects of childcare training on the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayahito Ito
- Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, 6-149-1, Kunimigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 989-3201, Japan.
| | - Katsuko Niwano
- Faculty of Education, Tohoku Fukushi University, 1-8-1, Kunimi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 981-8522, Japan
| | - Motoko Tanabe
- Faculty of Health Science, Tohoku Fukushi University, 6-149-1, Kunimigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 989-3201, Japan
| | - Yosuke Sato
- Faculty of Health Science, Tohoku Fukushi University, 6-149-1, Kunimigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 989-3201, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Fujii
- Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, 6-149-1, Kunimigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 989-3201, Japan
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39
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Pace-Schott EF, Zimmerman JP, Bottary RM, Lee EG, Milad MR, Camprodon JA. Resting state functional connectivity in primary insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder and controls. Psychiatry Res 2017; 265:26-34. [PMID: 28500965 PMCID: PMC5505504 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sleep abnormalities are extremely common in anxiety disorders and may contribute to their development and persistence. Their shared pathophysiological mechanisms could thus serve as biomarkers or targets for novel therapeutics. Individuals with Primary Insomnia were age- and sex-matched to controls and to persons with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. All underwent fMRI resting-state scans at 3-T. In Primary Insomnia and controls, sleep was recorded for 2 weeks using diaries and actigraphy. All participants completed state-anxiety and neuroticism inventories. Whole-brain connectivity of 6 fear- and extinction-related seeds were compared between the 3 groups using ANOVA. The only significant between-group main effect was seen for connectivity between the left amygdala seed and a bilateral cluster in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. The latter is believed to exert top-down control over amygdala activity and their interaction may thus constitute an emotion regulatory circuit. This connectivity was significantly greatest in controls while Primary Insomnia was intermediate between that of controls and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Across Primary Insomnia and control subjects, mean connectivity decreased with poorer sleep. Across all 3 groups, connectivity decreased with greater neuroticism and pre-scan anxiety. Decreased top-down control of the amygdala may increase risk of developing an anxiety disorder with preexisting Primary Insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward F Pace-Schott
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Jared P Zimmerman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Ryan M Bottary
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Erik G Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Mohammed R Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Joan A Camprodon
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
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40
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Look me in the eyes: constraining gaze in the eye-region provokes abnormally high subcortical activation in autism. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3163. [PMID: 28600558 PMCID: PMC5466661 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03378-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) seem to have difficulties looking others in the eyes, but the substrate for this behavior is not well understood. The subcortical pathway, which consists of superior colliculus, pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus, and amygdala, enables rapid and automatic face processing. A specific component of this pathway – i.e., the amygdala – has been shown to be abnormally activated in paradigms where individuals had to specifically attend to the eye-region; however, a direct examination of the effect of manipulating the gaze to the eye-regions on all the components of the subcortical system altogether has never been performed. The subcortical system is particularly important as it shapes the functional specialization of the face-processing cortex during development. Using functional MRI, we investigated the effect of constraining gaze in the eye-region during dynamic emotional face perception in groups of participants with ASD and typical controls. We computed differences in activation in the subcortical face processing system (superior colliculus, pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus and amygdala) for the same stimuli seen freely or with the gaze constrained in the eye-region. Our results show that when constrained to look in the eyes, individuals with ASD show abnormally high activation in the subcortical system, which may be at the basis of their eye avoidance in daily life.
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41
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The human amygdala parametrically encodes the intensity of specific facial emotions and their categorical ambiguity. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14821. [PMID: 28429707 PMCID: PMC5413952 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The human amygdala is a key structure for processing emotional facial expressions, but it remains unclear what aspects of emotion are processed. We investigated this question with three different approaches: behavioural analysis of 3 amygdala lesion patients, neuroimaging of 19 healthy adults, and single-neuron recordings in 9 neurosurgical patients. The lesion patients showed a shift in behavioural sensitivity to fear, and amygdala BOLD responses were modulated by both fear and emotion ambiguity (the uncertainty that a facial expression is categorized as fearful or happy). We found two populations of neurons, one whose response correlated with increasing degree of fear, or happiness, and a second whose response primarily decreased as a linear function of emotion ambiguity. Together, our results indicate that the human amygdala processes both the degree of emotion in facial expressions and the categorical ambiguity of the emotion shown and that these two aspects of amygdala processing can be most clearly distinguished at the level of single neurons. The amygdala processes emotional facial expressions, but its exact contributions are unclear. Wang. et al. use behavioural analysis of amygdala lesion patients, fMRI, and single-neuron recordings to show that both emotional intensity and ambiguity signals are processed in the human amygdala.
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42
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Eckstein M, Markett S, Kendrick KM, Ditzen B, Liu F, Hurlemann R, Becker B. Oxytocin differentially alters resting state functional connectivity between amygdala subregions and emotional control networks: Inverse correlation with depressive traits. Neuroimage 2017; 149:458-467. [PMID: 28161309 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.01.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has received increasing attention for its role in modulating social-emotional processes across species. Previous studies on using intranasal-OT in humans point to a crucial engagement of the amygdala in the observed neuromodulatory effects of OT under task and rest conditions. However, the amygdala is not a single homogenous structure, but rather a set of structurally and functionally heterogeneous nuclei that show distinct patterns of connectivity with limbic and frontal emotion-processing regions. To determine potential differential effects of OT on functional connectivity of the amygdala subregions, 79 male participants underwent resting-state fMRI following randomized intranasal-OT or placebo administration. In line with previous studies OT increased the connectivity of the total amygdala with dorso-medial prefrontal regions engaged in emotion regulation. In addition, OT enhanced coupling of the total amygdala with cerebellar regions. Importantly, OT differentially altered the connectivity of amygdala subregions with distinct up-stream cortical nodes, particularly prefrontal/parietal, and cerebellar down-stream regions. OT-induced increased connectivity with cerebellar regions were largely driven by effects on the centromedial and basolateral subregions, whereas increased connectivity with prefrontal regions were largely mediated by right superficial and basolateral subregions. OT decreased connectivity of the centromedial subregions with core hubs of the emotional face processing network in temporal, occipital and parietal regions. Preliminary findings suggest that effects on the superficial amygdala-prefrontal pathway were inversely associated with levels of subclinical depression, possibly indicating that OT modulation may be blunted in the context of increased pathological load. Together, the present findings suggest a subregional-specific modulatory role of OT on amygdala-centered emotion processing networks in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Eckstein
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Markett
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, D-53127 Bonn, Germany; Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA
| | - Rene Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Division of Medical Psychology, University of Bonn, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China.
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Rossi V, Pourtois G. Someone’s lurking in the dark: The role of state anxiety on attention deployment to threat-related stimuli. Biol Psychol 2017; 122:21-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Raab K, Kirsch P, Mier D. Understanding the impact of 5-HTTLPR, antidepressants, and acute tryptophan depletion on brain activation during facial emotion processing: A review of the imaging literature. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 71:176-197. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Wang L, Feng C, Mai X, Jia L, Zhu X, Luo W, Luo YJ. The Impact of Perceptual Load on the Non-Conscious Processing of Fearful Faces. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154914. [PMID: 27149273 PMCID: PMC4858266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional stimuli can be processed without consciousness. In the current study, we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to assess whether perceptual load influences non-conscious processing of fearful facial expressions. Perceptual load was manipulated using a letter search task with the target letter presented at the fixation point, while facial expressions were presented peripherally and masked to prevent conscious awareness. The letter string comprised six letters (X or N) that were identical (low load) or different (high load). Participants were instructed to discriminate the letters at fixation or the facial expression (fearful or neutral) in the periphery. Participants were faster and more accurate at detecting letters in the low load condition than in the high load condition. Fearful faces elicited a sustained positivity from 250 ms to 700 ms post-stimulus over fronto-central areas during the face discrimination and low-load letter discrimination conditions, but this effect was completely eliminated during high-load letter discrimination. Our findings imply that non-conscious processing of fearful faces depends on perceptual load, and attentional resources are necessary for non-conscious processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wang
- School of Educational Science, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, China
| | - Chunliang Feng
- National Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqin Mai
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (XM); (YL)
| | - Lina Jia
- School of Humanities, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiangru Zhu
- Institute of Psychology and Behavior, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wenbo Luo
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Yue-jia Luo
- Institute of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- * E-mail: (XM); (YL)
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Carlson JM, Torrence RD, Vander Hyde MR. Beware the eyes behind the mask: The capture and hold of selective attention by backward masked fearful eyes. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-016-9542-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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47
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daSilva EB, Crager K, Geisler D, Newbern P, Orem B, Puce A. Something to sink your teeth into: The presence of teeth augments ERPs to mouth expressions. Neuroimage 2016; 127:227-241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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48
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Diederich NJ, Goldman JG, Stebbins GT, Goetz CG. Failing as doorman and disc jockey at the same time: Amygdalar dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord 2015; 31:11-22. [PMID: 26650182 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In Braak's model of ascending degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD), involvement of the amygdala occurs simultaneously with substantia nigra degeneration. However, the clinical manifestations of amygdalar involvement in PD have not been fully delineated. Considered a multitask manager, the amygdala is a densely connected "hub," coordinating and integrating tasks ranging from prompt, multisensorial emotion recognition to adequate emotional responses and emotional tuning of memories. Although phylogenetically predisposed to handle fear, the amygdala handles both aversive and positive emotional inputs. In PD, neuropathological and in vivo studies suggest primarily amygdalar hypofunction. However, as dopamine acts as an inverted U-shaped amygdalar modulator, medication-induced hyperactivity of the amygdala can occur. We propose that amygdalar (network) dysfunction contributes to reduced recognition of negative emotional face expressions, impaired theory of mind, reactive hypomimia, and impaired decision making. Similarly, impulse control disorders in predisposed individuals, hallucinations, anxiety, and panic attacks may be related to amygdalar dysfunction. When available, we discuss amygdala-independent trigger mechanisms of these symptoms. Although dopaminergic agents have mostly an activation effect on amygdalar function, adaptive and compensatory network changes may occur as well, but these have not been sufficiently explored. In conclusion, our model of amygdalar involvement brings together several elements of Parkinson's disease phenomenology heretofore left unexplained and provides a framework for testable hypotheses in patients during life and in autopsy analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico J Diederich
- Department of Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg-City, Luxembourg.,Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Campus Esch-Belval, Esch-s.-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jennifer G Goldman
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Glenn T Stebbins
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher G Goetz
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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49
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Yildirim BO, Derksen JJL. Mesocorticolimbic dopamine functioning in primary psychopathy: A source of within-group heterogeneity. Psychiatry Res 2015; 229:633-77. [PMID: 26277034 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite similar emotional deficiencies, primary psychopathic individuals can be situated on a continuum that spans from controlled to disinhibited. The constructs on which primary psychopaths are found to diverge, such as self-control, cognitive flexibility, and executive functioning, are crucially regulated by dopamine (DA). As such, the goal of this review is to examine which specific alterations in the meso-cortico-limbic DA system and corresponding genes (e.g., TH, DAT, COMT, DRD2, DRD4) might bias development towards a more controlled or disinhibited expression of primary psychopathy. Based on empirical data, it is argued that primary psychopathy is generally related to a higher tonic and population activity of striatal DA neurons and lower levels of D2-type DA receptors in meso-cortico-limbic projections, which may boost motivational drive towards incentive-laden goals, dampen punishment sensitivity, and increase future reward-expectancy. However, increasingly higher levels of DA activity in the striatum (moderate versus pathological elevations), lower levels of DA functionality in the prefrontal cortex, and higher D1-to-D2-type receptor ratios in meso-cortico-limbic projections may lead to increasingly disinhibited and impetuous phenotypes of primary psychopathy. Finally, in order to provide a more coherent view on etiological mechanisms, we discuss interactions between DA and serotonin that are relevant for primary psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bariş O Yildirim
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen, De Kluyskamp 1002, 6545 JD Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan J L Derksen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Room: A.07.04B, Radboud University Nijmegen, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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50
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Kanat M, Heinrichs M, Mader I, van Elst LT, Domes G. Oxytocin Modulates Amygdala Reactivity to Masked Fearful Eyes. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:2632-8. [PMID: 25881796 PMCID: PMC4569954 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala reveals enhanced reactivity to fearful eye whites, even when they are backwardly masked by a neutral face and therefore processed with limited visual awareness. In our fMRI study, we investigated whether this effect is indeed associated with fear detection within the eyes of the neutral face mask, or more generally, with reactivity to any salient increase in eye white area. In addition, we examined whether a single dose of intranasal oxytocin would modulate amygdala responses to masked fearful eye whites via a double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacological protocol. We found that increased amygdala responses to salient changes within a face's eye region occurred specifically for masked fearful eyes but not for similar increases in white area as induced by nonsocial control stimuli. Administration of oxytocin attenuated amygdala responses to masked fearful eye whites. Our results suggest that the amygdala is particularly tuned to potential threat signals from the eye region. The dampening effects of oxytocin on early amygdala reactivity may reflect reduced vigilance for facial threat cues at a preconscious level. Future studies may investigate whether this early modulation accounts for the beneficial effects of oxytocin on social cognition in anxiety-related disorders, as suggested by previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Kanat
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus Heinrichs
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Irina Mader
- Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany,Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany,Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gregor Domes
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany,Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 8, Freiburg D-79104, Germany, Tel: +49 761 203 3035, Fax: +49 761 203 3023, E-mail:
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