1
|
Mugnol-Ugarte L, Bortolini T, Yao B, Mikkelsen M, Carneiro Monteiro M, Andorinho de Freitas Ferreira AC, Bramatti I, Melo B, Hoefle S, Meireles F, Moll J, Pobric G. Transcranial electrical stimulation modulates emotional experience and metabolites in the prefrontal cortex in a donation task. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14271. [PMID: 38902321 PMCID: PMC11190244 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64876-x] [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] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the neural, metabolic, and psychological mechanisms underlying human altruism and decision-making is a complex and important topic both for science and society. Here, we investigated whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) applied to two prefrontal cortex regions, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC, anode) and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, cathode) can induce changes in self-reported emotions and to modulate local metabolite concentrations. We employed in vivo quantitative MR Spectroscopy in healthy adult participants and quantified changes in GABA and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) before and after five sessions of tDCS delivered at 2 mA for 20 min (active group) and 1 min (sham group) while participants were engaged in a charitable donation task. In the active group, we observed increased levels of GABA in vmPFC. Glx levels decreased in both prefrontal regions and self-reported happiness increased significantly over time in the active group. Self-reported guiltiness in both active and sham groups tended to decrease. The results indicate that self-reported happiness can be modulated, possibly due to changes in Glx concentrations following repeated stimulation. Therefore, local changes may induce remote changes in the reward network through interactions with other metabolites, previously thought to be unreachable with noninvasive stimulation techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Mugnol-Ugarte
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Tiago Bortolini
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bo Yao
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Mikkelsen
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Marina Carneiro Monteiro
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ivanei Bramatti
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Melo
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sebastian Hoefle
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Meireles
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gorana Pobric
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fennema D, Barker GJ, O’Daly O, Duan S, Carr E, Goldsmith K, Young AH, Moll J, Zahn R. The Role of Subgenual Resting-State Connectivity Networks in Predicting Prognosis in Major Depressive Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100308. [PMID: 38645404 PMCID: PMC11033067 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A seminal study found higher subgenual frontal cortex resting-state connectivity with 2 left ventral frontal regions and the dorsal midbrain to predict better response to psychotherapy versus medication in individuals with treatment-naïve major depressive disorder (MDD). Here, we examined whether these subgenual networks also play a role in the pathophysiology of clinical outcomes in MDD with early treatment resistance in primary care. Methods Forty-five people with current MDD who had not responded to ≥2 serotonergic antidepressants (n = 43, meeting predefined functional magnetic resonance imaging minimum quality thresholds) were enrolled and followed over 4 months of standard care. Functional magnetic resonance imaging resting-state connectivity between the preregistered subgenual frontal cortex seed and 3 previously identified left ventromedial, ventrolateral prefrontal/insula, and dorsal midbrain regions was extracted. The clinical outcome was the percentage change on the self-reported 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. Results We observed a reversal of our preregistered hypothesis in that higher resting-state connectivity between the subgenual cortex and the a priori ventrolateral prefrontal/insula region predicted favorable rather than unfavorable clinical outcomes (rs39 = -0.43, p = .006). This generalized to the sample including participants with suboptimal functional magnetic resonance imaging quality (rs43 = -0.35, p = .02). In contrast, no effects (rs39 = 0.12, rs39 = -0.01) were found for connectivity with the other 2 preregistered regions or in a whole-brain analysis (voxel-based familywise error-corrected p < .05). Conclusions Subgenual connectivity with the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex/insula is relevant for subsequent clinical outcomes in current MDD with early treatment resistance. Its positive association with favorable outcomes could be explained primarily by psychosocial rather than the expected pharmacological changes during the follow-up period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diede Fennema
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J. Barker
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen O’Daly
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suqian Duan
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ewan Carr
- Department of Biostatics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberley Goldsmith
- Department of Biostatics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allan H. Young
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bortolini T, Laport MC, Latgé-Tovar S, Fischer R, Zahn R, de Oliveira-Souza R, Moll J. The extended neural architecture of human attachment: An fMRI coordinate-based meta-analysis of affiliative studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105584. [PMID: 38367888 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105584] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Functional imaging studies and clinical evidence indicate that cortical areas relevant to social cognition are closely integrated with evolutionarily conserved basal forebrain structures and neighboring regions, enabling human attachment and affiliative emotions. The neural circuitry of human affiliation is continually being unraveled as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) becomes increasingly prevalent, with studies examining human brain responses to various attachment figures. However, previous fMRI meta-analyses on affiliative stimuli have encountered challenges, such as low statistical power and the absence of robustness measures. To address these issues, we conducted an exhaustive coordinate-based meta-analysis of 79 fMRI studies, focusing on personalized affiliative stimuli, including one's infants, family, romantic partners, and friends. We employed complementary coordinate-based analyses (Activation Likelihood Estimation and Signed Differential Mapping) and conducted a robustness analysis of the results. Findings revealed cluster convergence in cortical and subcortical structures related to reward and motivation, salience detection, social bonding, and cognition. Our study thoroughly explores the neural correlates underpinning affiliative responses, effectively overcoming the limitations noted in previous meta-analyses. It provides an extensive view of the neural substrates associated with affiliative stimuli, illuminating the intricate interaction between cortical and subcortical regions. Our findings significantly contribute to understanding the neurobiology of human affiliation, expanding the known human attachment circuitry beyond the traditional basal forebrain regions observed in other mammals to include uniquely human isocortical structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bortolini
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; IDOR - Pioneer Science Initiative, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Maria Clara Laport
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sofia Latgé-Tovar
- Institute of Psychiatry, Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ronald Fischer
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; IDOR - Pioneer Science Initiative, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Psychology, PO Box 600, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ricardo de Oliveira-Souza
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; The Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; IDOR - Pioneer Science Initiative, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mendez MF. The Implications of Moral Neuroscience for Brain Disease: Review and Update. Cogn Behav Neurol 2023; 36:133-144. [PMID: 37326483 DOI: 10.1097/wnn.0000000000000344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The last 2 decades have seen an explosion of neuroscience research on morality, with significant implications for brain disease. Many studies have proposed a neuromorality based on intuitive sentiments or emotions aimed at maintaining collaborative social groups. These moral emotions are normative, deontological, and action based, with a rapid evaluation of intentionality. The neuromoral circuitry interacts with the basic mechanisms of socioemotional cognition, including social perception, behavioral control, theory of mind, and social emotions such as empathy. Moral transgressions may result from primary disorders of moral intuitions, or they may be secondary moral impairments from disturbances in these other socioemotional cognitive mechanisms. The proposed neuromoral system for moral intuitions has its major hub in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and engages other frontal regions as well as the anterior insulae, anterior temporal lobe structures, and right temporoparietal junction and adjacent posterior superior temporal sulcus. Brain diseases that affect these regions, such as behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, may result in primary disturbances of moral behavior, including criminal behavior. Individuals with focal brain tumors and other lesions in the right temporal and medial frontal regions have committed moral violations. These transgressions can have social and legal consequences for the individuals and require increased awareness of neuromoral disturbances among such individuals with brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario F Mendez
- Departments of Neurology
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Neurology Service, Neurobehavior Unit, V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fennema D, Barker GJ, O'Daly O, Duan S, Carr E, Goldsmith K, Young AH, Moll J, Zahn R. Self-blame-selective hyper-connectivity between anterior temporal and subgenual cortices predicts prognosis in major depressive disorder. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 39:103453. [PMID: 37352570 PMCID: PMC10336192 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103453] [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] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-blame-related fMRI measures were shown to predict subsequent recurrence in remitted major depressive disorder (MDD). Their role in current MDD, however, is unknown. We hypothesised that these neural signatures reflect a highly recurrent but remitting course of MDD and therefore predict favourable outcomes over a four-month follow-up period in current MDD. METHODS Forty-five participants with current MDD and non-responders to at least two serotonergic antidepressants, were encouraged to optimise their medication and followed up after receiving four months of primary care treatment-as-usual. Prior to their medication review, participants completed an fMRI paradigm in which they viewed self- and other-blame emotion-evoking statements. Thirty-nine participants met pre-defined fMRI data minimum quality thresholds. Psychophysiological interaction analysis was used to determine baseline connectivity of the right superior anterior temporal lobe (RSATL), with an a priori BA25 region-of-interest for self-blaming vs other-blaming emotions, using Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (16-item) percentage change as a covariate. RESULTS We corroborated our pre-registered hypothesis that a favourable clinical outcome was associated with higher self-blame-selective RSATL-BA25 connectivity (Family-Wise Error-corrected p <.05 over the a priori BA25 region-of-interest; rs(34) = -0.47, p =.005). This generalised to the sample including participants with suboptimal fMRI quality (rs(39) = -0.32, p =.05). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that neural signatures of overgeneralised self-blame are relevant for prognostic stratification of current treatment-resistant MDD. Future studies need to confirm whether this neural signature indeed represents a trait-like feature of a fully remitting subtype of MDD, or whether it is also modulated by depressive state and related to treatment effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diede Fennema
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gareth J Barker
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Owen O'Daly
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Suqian Duan
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ewan Carr
- Department of Biostatics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kimberley Goldsmith
- Department of Biostatics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK; National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK; Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Grossmann T. Extending and refining the fearful ape hypothesis. Behav Brain Sci 2023; 46:e81. [PMID: 37154374 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x22002837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The fearful ape hypothesis (FAH) presents an evolutionary-developmental framework stipulating that in the context of cooperative caregiving, unique to human great ape group life, heightened fearfulness was adaptive. This is because from early in human ontogeny fearfulness expressed and perceived enhanced care-based responding and cooperation with mothers and others. This response extends and refines the FAH by incorporating the commentaries' suggestions and additional lines of empirical work, providing a more comprehensive and nuanced version of the FAH. Specifically, it encourages and hopes to inspire cross-species and cross-cultural, longitudinal work elucidating evolutionary and developmental functions of fear in context. Beyond fear, it can be seen as a call for an evolutionary-developmental approach to affective science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Grossmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jaeckle T, Williams SCR, Barker GJ, Basilio R, Carr E, Goldsmith K, Colasanti A, Giampietro V, Cleare A, Young AH, Moll J, Zahn R. Self-blame in major depression: a randomised pilot trial comparing fMRI neurofeedback with self-guided psychological strategies. Psychol Med 2023; 53:2831-2841. [PMID: 34852855 PMCID: PMC10235657 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721004797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overgeneralised self-blame and worthlessness are key symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and have previously been associated with self-blame-selective changes in connectivity between right superior anterior temporal lobe (rSATL) and subgenual frontal cortices. Another study showed that remitted MDD patients were able to modulate this neural signature using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback training, thereby increasing their self-esteem. The feasibility and potential of using this approach in symptomatic MDD were unknown. METHOD This single-blind pre-registered randomised controlled pilot trial probed a novel self-guided psychological intervention with and without additional rSATL-posterior subgenual cortex (BA25) fMRI neurofeedback, targeting self-blaming emotions in people with insufficiently recovered MDD and early treatment-resistance (n = 43, n = 35 completers). Participants completed three weekly self-guided sessions to rebalance self-blaming biases. RESULTS As predicted, neurofeedback led to a training-induced reduction in rSATL-BA25 connectivity for self-blame v. other-blame. Both interventions were safe and resulted in a 46% reduction on the Beck Depression Inventory-II, our primary outcome, with no group differences. Secondary analyses, however, revealed that patients without DSM-5-defined anxious distress showed a superior response to neurofeedback compared with the psychological intervention, and the opposite pattern in anxious MDD. As predicted, symptom remission was associated with increases in self-esteem and this correlated with the frequency with which participants employed the psychological strategies in daily life. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that self-blame-rebalance neurofeedback may be superior over a solely psychological intervention in non-anxious MDD, although further confirmatory studies are needed. Simple self-guided strategies tackling self-blame were beneficial, but need to be compared against treatment-as-usual in further trials. https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10526888.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Jaeckle
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK
| | - Steven C. R. Williams
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gareth J. Barker
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rodrigo Basilio
- Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit and Neuroinformatics Workgroup, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ewan Carr
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kimberley Goldsmith
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alessandro Colasanti
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK
| | - Vincent Giampietro
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony Cleare
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK
| | - Allan H. Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, UK
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit and Neuroinformatics Workgroup, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roland Zahn
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK
- Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit and Neuroinformatics Workgroup, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Caria A. A Hypothalamic Perspective of Human Socioemotional Behavior. Neuroscientist 2023:10738584221149647. [PMID: 36703298 DOI: 10.1177/10738584221149647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Historical evidence from stimulation and lesion studies in animals and humans demonstrated a close association between the hypothalamus and typical and atypical socioemotional behavior. A central hypothalamic contribution to regulation of socioemotional responses was also provided indirectly by studies on oxytocin and arginine vasopressin. However, a limited number of studies have so far directly investigated the contribution of the hypothalamus in human socioemotional behavior. To reconsider the functional role of the evolutionarily conserved hypothalamic region in regulating human social behavior, here I provide a synthesis of neuroimaging investigations showing that the hypothalamus is involved in multiple and diverse facets of human socioemotional behavior through widespread functional interactions with other cortical and subcortical regions. These neuroimaging findings are then integrated with recent optogenetics studies in animals demonstrating that the hypothalamus plays a more active role in eliciting socioemotional responses and is not simply a downstream effector of higher-level brain systems. Building on the aforementioned evidence, the hypothalamus is argued to substantially contribute to a continuum of human socioemotional behaviors promoting survival and preservation of the species that extends from exploratory and approaching responses facilitating social bonding to aggressive and avoidance responses aimed to protect and defend formed relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Caria
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lythe KE, Gethin JA, Workman CI, Lambon Ralph MA, Deakin JFW, Moll J, Zahn R. Subgenual activation and the finger of blame: individual differences and depression vulnerability. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1560-1568. [PMID: 32972471 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720003372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subgenual cingulate cortex (SCC) responses to self-blaming emotion-evoking stimuli were previously found in individuals prone to self-blame with and without a history of major depressive disorder (MDD). This suggested SCC activation reflects self-blaming emotions such as guilt, which are central to models of MDD vulnerability. METHOD Here, we re-examined these hypotheses in an independent larger sample. A total of 109 medication-free participants (70 with remitted MDD and 39 healthy controls) underwent fMRI whilst judging self- and other-blaming emotion-evoking statements. They also completed validated questionnaires of proneness to self-blaming emotions including those related to internal (autonomy) and external (sociotropy) evaluation, which were subjected to factor analysis. RESULTS An interaction between group (remitted MDD v. Control) and condition (self- v. other-blame) was observed in the right SCC (BA24). This was due to higher SCC signal for self-blame in remitted MDD and higher other-blame-selective activation in Control participants. Across the whole sample, extracted SCC activation cluster averages for self- v. other-blame were predicted by a regression model which included the reliable components derived from our factor analysis of measures of proneness to self-blaming emotions. Interestingly, this prediction was solely driven by autonomy/self-criticism, and adaptive guilt factors, with no effect of sociotropy/dependency. CONCLUSIONS Despite confirming the prediction of SCC activation in self-blame-prone individuals and those vulnerable to MDD, our results suggest that SCC activation reflects blame irrespective of where it is directed rather than selective for self. We speculate that self-critical individuals have more extended SCC representations for blame in the context of self-agency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Lythe
- The University of Manchester & Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Neuroscience and Aphasia Research Unit, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jennifer A Gethin
- The University of Manchester & Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Neuroscience and Aphasia Research Unit, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Clifford I Workman
- The University of Manchester & Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Neuroscience and Aphasia Research Unit, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- The University of Manchester & Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, Neuroscience & Psychiatry Unit, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Matthew A Lambon Ralph
- The University of Manchester & Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Neuroscience and Aphasia Research Unit, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - John F W Deakin
- The University of Manchester & Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, Neuroscience & Psychiatry Unit, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), 22280-080 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Roland Zahn
- The University of Manchester & Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Neuroscience and Aphasia Research Unit, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), 22280-080 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
- National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Asamizuya T, Saito H, Higuchi R, Naruse G, Ota S, Kato J. Effective Connectivity and Criminal Sentencing Decisions: Dynamic Causal Models in Laypersons and Legal Experts. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:4304-4316. [PMID: 35040933 PMCID: PMC9528897 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This magnetic resonance imaging study is designed to obtain relevant implications for criminal justice and explores the effective connectivity underlying expertise. Laypersons and experts considered sentences for remorseful and remorseless defendants, respectively, with and without mitigation, in hypothetical murder cases. Two groups revealed no differential activation. However, dynamic causal modeling analysis found distinct patterns of connectivity associated with subjects’ expertise and mitigating factors. In sentencing for remorseful defendants, laypersons showed increased strength in all bidirectional connections among activated regions of Brodmann area (BA) 32, BA23, the right posterior insula, and the precuneus. In contrast, legal experts sentenced based on mitigation reasoning, showed increased strength only in the bidirectional connection between the insula and the precuneus. When sentencing for remorseless ones without mitigation, both laypersons and experts increased the connection strength, but with reverse directionality, between regions; legal experts strengthened connectivity from BA10 to other regions, that is, the right anterior insula and BA23, but the directionality was reversed in laypersons. In addition, the strength of connection to BA32 and BA10 was correlated with changes in punishments by mitigating factors. This is a crucial result that establishes the validity of the connectivity estimates, which were uninformed by the independent (behavioral) differences in the severity of punishment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Asamizuya
- Graduate School of Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0035, Japan
- Center for Evolutionary Cognitive Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0041, Japan
| | - Hiroharu Saito
- Graduate School of Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0035, Japan
- Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0035, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Higuchi
- Graduate School of Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0035, Japan
| | - Go Naruse
- Graduate School of Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0035, Japan
| | - Shozo Ota
- Graduate School of Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0035, Japan
- School of Law, Meiji University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Junko Kato
- Address correspondence to Junko Kato, Graduate School of Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo; Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0035, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and Morita therapy (MT); comparison of three established psychotherapies and possible common neural mechanisms of psychotherapies. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 129:805-828. [PMID: 34889976 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02450-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Psychotherapies aim to relieve patients from mental distress by guiding them toward healthier attitudes and behaviors. Psychotherapies can differ substantially in concepts and approaches. In this review article, we compare the methods and science of three established psychotherapies: Morita Therapy (MT), which is a 100-year-old method established in Japan; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which-worldwide-has become the major psychotherapy; and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is a relatively young psychotherapy that shares some characteristics with MT. The neuroscience of psychotherapy as a system is only beginning to be understood, but relatively solid scientific information is available about some of its important aspects such as learning, physical health, and social interactions. On average, psychotherapies work best if combined with pharmacotherapies. This synergy may rely on the drugs helping to "kickstart" the use of neural pathways (behaviors) to which a patient otherwise has poor access. Improved behavior, guided by psychotherapy, can then consolidate these pathways by their continued usage throughout a patient's life.
Collapse
|
12
|
Neurocomputational mechanisms engaged in moral choices and moral learning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:50-60. [PMID: 34826508 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.023] [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: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The neural circuitry involved in moral decisions has been studied since the early days of cognitive neuroscience, mainly using moral dilemma. However, the neurocomputational mechanisms describing how the human brain makes moral decisions and learns in various moral contexts are only starting to be established. Here we review recent results from an emerging field using model-based fMRI, which describes moral choices at a mechanistic level. These findings unify the field of moral decision making, extend a conceptual framework previously developed for value-based decision making and characterize how moral processes are computed in the brain. Moral dilemma can be modeled as value-based decisions that weigh self-interests against moral costs/harm to others and different types of prediction errors can be distinguished in different aspects of moral learning. These key computational signals help to describe moral choices and moral learning at an algorithmic level and to reveal how these cognitive operations are implemented in the brain. This researches provide a foundation to account for the neurocomputational mechanisms underlying moral decision making.
Collapse
|
13
|
Eslinger PJ, Anders S, Ballarini T, Boutros S, Krach S, Mayer AV, Moll J, Newton TL, Schroeter ML, de Oliveira-Souza R, Raber J, Sullivan GB, Swain JE, Lowe L, Zahn R. The neuroscience of social feelings: mechanisms of adaptive social functioning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:592-620. [PMID: 34089764 PMCID: PMC8388127 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Social feelings have conceptual and empirical connections with affect and emotion. In this review, we discuss how they relate to cognition, emotion, behavior and well-being. We examine the functional neuroanatomy and neurobiology of social feelings and their role in adaptive social functioning. Existing neuroscience literature is reviewed to identify concepts, methods and challenges that might be addressed by social feelings research. Specific topic areas highlight the influence and modulation of social feelings on interpersonal affiliation, parent-child attachments, moral sentiments, interpersonal stressors, and emotional communication. Brain regions involved in social feelings were confirmed by meta-analysis using the Neurosynth platform for large-scale, automated synthesis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Words that relate specifically to social feelings were identfied as potential research variables. Topical inquiries into social media behaviors, loneliness, trauma, and social sensitivity, especially with recent physical distancing for guarding public and personal health, underscored the increasing importance of social feelings for affective and second person neuroscience research with implications for brain development, physical and mental health, and lifelong adaptive functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Eslinger
- Departments of Neurology, Neural & Behavioral Sciences, Pediatrics, and Radiology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Silke Anders
- Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tommaso Ballarini
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sydney Boutros
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sören Krach
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Translational Psychiatry Unit, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Annalina V Mayer
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Translational Psychiatry Unit, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tamara L Newton
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Matthias L Schroeter
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ricardo de Oliveira-Souza
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), BR Hospital Universitario, Universidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jacob Raber
- Departments of Behavioral Neuroscience, Neurology, and Radiation Medicine, Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Gavin B Sullivan
- International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin, Germany, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK
| | - James E Swain
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Psychology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Roland Zahn
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bortolini T, Melo B, Basilio R, Fischer R, Zahn R, de Oliveira-Souza R, Knutson B, Moll J. Striatal and septo-hypothalamic responses to anticipation and outcome of affiliative rewards. Neuroimage 2021; 243:118474. [PMID: 34407439 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are intrinsically motivated to bond with others. The ability to experience affiliative emotions (such as affection/tenderness, sexual attraction, and admiration/awe) may incentivize and promote these affiliative bonds. Here, we interrogate the role of the critical reward circuitry, especially the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc) and the septo-hypothalamic region, in the anticipation of and response to affiliative rewards using a novel incentive delay task. During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI), participants (n = 23 healthy humans; 14 female) anticipated and watched videos involving affiliative (tenderness, erotic desire, and awe) and nonaffiliative (i.e., food) rewards, as well as neutral scenes. On the one hand, anticipation of both affiliative and nonaffiliative rewards increased activity in the NAcc, anterior insula, and supplementary motor cortex, but activity in the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) increased in response to reward outcomes. On the other hand, affiliative rewards more specifically increased activity in the septo-hypothalamic area. Moreover, NAcc activity during anticipation correlated with positive arousal for all rewards, whereas septo-hypothalamic activity during the outcome correlated with positive arousal and motivation for subsequent re-exposure only for affiliative rewards. Together, these findings implicate a general appetitive response in the NAcc to different types of rewards but suggests a more specific response in the septo-hypothalamic region in response to affiliative rewards outcomes. This work also presents a new task for distinguishing between neural responses to affiliative and non-affiliative rewards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bortolini
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro 22281-100, Brazil.
| | - Bruno Melo
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro 22281-100, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Basilio
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro 22281-100, Brazil
| | - Ronald Fischer
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro 22281-100, Brazil; School of Psychology, PO Box 600, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo de Oliveira-Souza
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro 22281-100, Brazil; The Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 22270-000, Brazil
| | - Brian Knutson
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro 22281-100, Brazil; Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Scients Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lawrence AJ, Stahl D, Duan S, Fennema D, Jaeckle T, Young AH, Dazzan P, Moll J, Zahn R. Neurocognitive Measures of Self-blame and Risk Prediction Models of Recurrence in Major Depressive Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2021; 7:256-264. [PMID: 34175478 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overgeneralized self-blaming emotions, such as self-disgust, are core symptoms of major depressive disorder and prompt specific actions (i.e., action tendencies), which are more functionally relevant than the emotions themselves. We have recently shown, using a novel cognitive task, that when feeling self-blaming emotions, maladaptive action tendencies (feeling like hiding and feeling like creating a distance from oneself) and an overgeneralized perception of control are characteristic of major depressive disorder, even after remission of symptoms. Here, we probed the potential of this cognitive signature, and its combination with previously employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures, to predict individual recurrence risk. For this purpose, we developed a user-friendly hybrid machine/statistical learning tool, which we make freely available. METHODS A total of 52 medication-free patients with remitted major depressive disorder, who had completed the action tendencies task and our self-blame fMRI task at baseline, were followed up clinically over 14 months to determine recurrence. Prospective prediction models included baseline maladaptive self-blame-related action tendencies and anterior temporal fMRI connectivity patterns across a set of frontolimbic a priori regions of interest, as well as including established clinical and standard psychological predictors. Prediction models used elastic net regularized logistic regression with nested 10-fold cross-validation. RESULTS Cross-validated discrimination was highly promising (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve ≥ 0.86), and positive predictive values over 80% were achieved when including fMRI in multimodal models, but only up to 71% (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve ≤ 0.74) when solely relying on cognitive and clinical measures. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the high potential of multimodal signatures of self-blaming biases to predict recurrence risk at an individual level and calls for external validation in an independent sample.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Lawrence
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Stahl
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suqian Duan
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diede Fennema
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tanja Jaeckle
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Workman CI, Humphries S, Hartung F, Aguirre GK, Kable JW, Chatterjee A. Morality is in the eye of the beholder: the neurocognitive basis of the "anomalous-is-bad" stereotype. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1494:3-17. [PMID: 33565114 PMCID: PMC8247878 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Are people with flawed faces regarded as having flawed moral characters? An "anomalous-is-bad" stereotype is hypothesized to facilitate negative biases against people with facial anomalies (e.g., scars), but whether and how these biases affect behavior and brain functioning remain open questions. We examined responses to anomalous faces in the brain (using a visual oddball paradigm), behavior (in economic games), and attitudes. At the level of the brain, the amygdala demonstrated a specific neural response to anomalous faces-sensitive to disgust and a lack of beauty but independent of responses to salience or arousal. At the level of behavior, people with anomalous faces were subjected to less prosociality from participants highest in socioeconomic status. At the level of attitudes, we replicated previously reported negative character evaluations made about individuals with facial anomalies, and further identified explicit biases directed against them as a group. Across these levels of organization, the specific amygdala response to facial anomalies correlated with stronger just-world beliefs (i.e., people get what they deserve), less dispositional empathic concern, and less prosociality toward people with facial anomalies. Characterizing the "anomalous-is-bad" stereotype at multiple levels of organization can reveal underappreciated psychological burdens shouldered by people who look different.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clifford I. Workman
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Brain Science CenterUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Center for NeuroaestheticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Stacey Humphries
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Brain Science CenterUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Center for NeuroaestheticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Franziska Hartung
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Brain Science CenterUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Center for NeuroaestheticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | | | - Joseph W. Kable
- Penn Brain Science CenterUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Center for NeuroaestheticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Anjan Chatterjee
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Brain Science CenterUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Penn Center for NeuroaestheticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bland A, Schei T, Roiser J, Mehta M, Zahn R, Seara-Cardoso A, Viding E, Sahakian B, Robbins T, Elliott R. Agency and intentionality-dependent experiences of moral emotions. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
18
|
Arioli M, Gianelli C, Canessa N. Neural representation of social concepts: a coordinate-based meta-analysis of fMRI studies. Brain Imaging Behav 2020; 15:1912-1921. [DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00384-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
19
|
Wu Y, Hall ASM, Siehl S, Grafman J, Krueger F. Neural Signatures of Gender Differences in Interpersonal Trust. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:225. [PMID: 32612518 PMCID: PMC7309600 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Trust plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of social life. Parental investment theory and social role theory predict that women trust less than men due to a higher sensitivity to risk and betrayal, while men trust more than women to maximize resources and to signal their willingness to lose something. However, the underlying neuropsychological underpinnings for this gender difference are still obscure. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural signatures of gender differences in trust by simultaneously scanning 11 male and 11 female same-gender, fixed dyads who played a multi-round binary trust game with varying levels of payoff (low/moderate/high) as an indicator of social risk. Our results showed that men trusted more than women and payoff level moderated the effect of gender on trust. While men trusted the same at all payoff levels, women trusted less with higher payoff levels. This pattern was supported by our neuroimaging finding: men showed a higher activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (ventrolateral prefrontal cortex) and right precuneus than women, indicating that men exert more effort to inhibit the information of payoff levels and to use self-referencing to infer the strategies of partners with the goal of maximizing profit. Furthermore, men showed equivalent activation in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex across payoff levels, whereas women showed a decreased activation with increasing payoff level - indicating decreased group bonding with higher risk in women. In conclusion, our results imply that women are more sensitive to social risk while trusting, which has implications for financial interactions, interpersonal relationships, and social involvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Alisha S M Hall
- Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Siehl
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jordan Grafman
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Frank Krueger
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States.,Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|