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Xue S, De Beuckelaer A, Kong F, Liu J. Dissociable neural correlates of trait and ability emotional intelligence: a resting-state fMRI study. Exp Brain Res 2024:10.1007/s00221-024-06809-8. [PMID: 38472448 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06809-8] [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: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Emotional intelligence (EI) is one's ability to monitor one's own and other's emotions and the use of emotional information to enhance thought and action. Previous behavioral studies have shown that EI is separable into trait EI and ability EI, which are known to have distinct characteristics at the behavioral level. A relevant and unanswered question is whether both forms of EI have a dissociable neural basis. Previous studies have individually explored the neural underpinnings of trait EI and ability EI, but there has been no direct comparison of the neural mechanisms underlying these two types of emotional intelligence. The present study addresses this question by using resting-state fMRI to examine the correlational pattern between the regional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of the brain and individuals' trait EI and ability EI scores. We found that trait EI scores were positively correlated with the ALFF in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and negatively correlated with the ALFF in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex. In contrast, ability EI scores were positively correlated with the ALFF in the insula. Taken together, these results provide preliminary evidence of dissociable neural substrates between trait EI and ability EI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Xue
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210094, China.
| | - Alain De Beuckelaer
- Institute for Management Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Feng Kong
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Psychology and Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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2
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Grecucci A, Monachesi B, Messina I. Reduced GM-WM concentration inside the Default Mode Network in individuals with high emotional intelligence and low anxiety: a data fusion mCCA+jICA approach. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae018. [PMID: 38451879 PMCID: PMC10919484 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae018] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize and regulate emotions to appropriately guide cognition and behaviour. Unfortunately, studies on the neural bases of EI are scant, and no study so far has exhaustively investigated grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) contributions to it. To fill this gap, we analysed trait measure of EI and structural MRI data from 128 healthy participants to shed new light on where and how EI is encoded in the brain. In addition, we explored the relationship between the neural substrates of trait EI and trait anxiety. A data fusion unsupervised machine learning approach (mCCA + jICA) was used to decompose the brain into covarying GM-WM networks and to assess their association with trait-EI. Results showed that high levels trait-EI are associated with decrease in GM-WM concentration in a network spanning from frontal to parietal and temporal regions, among which insula, cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, cuneus and precuneus. Interestingly, we also found that the higher the GM-WM concentration in the same network, the higher the trait anxiety. These findings encouragingly highlight the neural substrates of trait EI and their relationship with anxiety. The network is discussed considering its overlaps with the Default Mode Network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Grecucci
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences (DiPSCo), University of Trento, Rovereto (TN), Italy 38068, Italy
- Centre for Medical Sciences, CISMed, University of Trento, Trento, Italy 38122, Italy
| | - Bianca Monachesi
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences (DiPSCo), University of Trento, Rovereto (TN), Italy 38068, Italy
| | - Irene Messina
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences (DiPSCo), University of Trento, Rovereto (TN), Italy 38068, Italy
- Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences, Universitas Mercatorum, Rome, Italy
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Zhang X, Cheng B, Yang X, Suo X, Pan N, Chen T, Wang S, Gong Q. Emotional intelligence mediates the protective role of the orbitofrontal cortex spontaneous activity measured by fALFF against depressive and anxious symptoms in late adolescence. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:1957-1967. [PMID: 35737106 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
As a stable personality construct, trait emotional intelligence (TEI) refers to a battery of perceived emotion-related skills that make individuals behave effectively to adapt to the environment and maintain well-being. Abundant evidence has consistently shown that TEI is important for the outcomes of many mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety. However, the neural substrates involved in TEI and the underlying neurobehavioral mechanism of how TEI reduces depression and anxiety symptoms remain largely unknown. Herein, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and a group of behavioral measures were applied to examine these questions among a large sample comprising 231 general adolescent students aged 16-20 years (52% female). Whole-brain correlation analysis and prediction analysis demonstrated that TEI was negatively linked with spontaneous activity (measured with the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations) in the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a critical site implicated in emotion-related processes. Furthermore, structural equation modeling analysis found that TEI mediated the link of OFC spontaneous activity to depressive and anxious symptoms. Collectively, the current findings present new evidence for the neurofunctional bases of TEI and suggest a potential "brain-personality-symptom" pathway for alleviating depressive and anxious symptoms among students in late adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bochao Cheng
- Department of Radiology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Public Affairs, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xueling Suo
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Nanfang Pan
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Taolin Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China.
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, China.
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Grigorescu C, Chalah MA, Ayache SS, Palm U. [Alexithymia in Multiple Sclerosis - Narrative Review]. FORTSCHRITTE DER NEUROLOGIE-PSYCHIATRIE 2023; 91:404-413. [PMID: 35948023 DOI: 10.1055/a-1882-6544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alexithymia is a multidimensional construct of personality implicating difficulties in identifying and describing another's feelings, and externally oriented thinking. It is broadly reported in psychiatric patients but has gained little attention regarding its occurrence and pathophysiology in multiple sclerosis (MS). This narrative review aims to address prevalence, etiology, neurobiological, and clinical findings of alexithymia. The prevalence of alexithymia in MS ranges from 10 to 53%. There seems to be an association with anxiety, depression, fatigue, and some aspects of social cognition, while the relationship with clinical and classical cognitive variables was rarely evaluated. Only a few studies referred to its pathophysiology assuming an aberrant interhemispheric transfer or regional cerebral abnormalities. The prevalence of alexithymia in MS and the potential negative impact on quality of life and interpersonal communication could severely impact clinical MS management and a screnning for these factors should be mandatory. Thus, further evaluation is needed concerning its relationship with clinical, emotional, and cognitive confounders. Large-scale studies employing neuroimaging techniques are needed for a better understanding of the neural underpinnings of this MS feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Grigorescu
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinikum der Universität München, München
| | - Moussa A Chalah
- EA 4391, Excitabilité Nerveuse et Thérapeutique, Université Paris-Est-Créteil, Créteil, France
- Service de Physiologie - Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France
| | - Samar S Ayache
- EA 4391, Excitabilité Nerveuse et Thérapeutique, Université Paris-Est-Créteil, Créteil, France
- Service de Physiologie - Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France
| | - Ulrich Palm
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinikum der Universität München, München
- Medical Park Chiemseeblick, Bernau a. Chiemsee
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Deak A, Bodrogi B, Orsi G, Perlaki G, Bereczkei T. Emotional Intelligence Not Only Can Make Us Feel Negative, but Can Provide Cognitive Resources to Regulate It Effectively: An fMRI Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:866933. [PMID: 35756244 PMCID: PMC9226432 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.866933] [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] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroscientists have formulated the model of emotional intelligence (EI) based on brain imaging findings of individual differences in EI. The main objective of our study was to operationalize the advantage of high EI individuals in emotional information processing and regulation both at behavioral and neural levels of investigation. We used a self-report measure and a cognitive reappraisal task to demonstrate the role of EI in emotional perception and regulation. Participants saw pictures with negative or neutral captions and shifted (reappraised) from negative context to neutral while we registered brain activation. Behavioral results showed that higher EI participants reported more unpleasant emotions. The Utilization of emotions scores negatively correlated with the valence ratings and the subjective difficulty of reappraisal. In the negative condition, we found activation in hippocampus (HC), parahippocampal gyrus, cingulate cortex, insula and superior temporal lobe. In the neutral context, we found elevated activation in vision-related areas and HC. During reappraisal (negative-neutral) condition, we found activation in the medial frontal gyrus, temporal areas, vision-related regions and in cingulate gyrus. We conclude that higher EI is associated with intensive affective experiences even if emotions are unpleasant. Strong skills in utilizing emotions enable one not to repress negative feelings but to use them as source of information. High EI individuals use effective cognitive processes such as directing attention to relevant details; have advantages in allocation of cognitive resources, in conceptualization of emotional scenes and in building emotional memories; they use visual cues, imagination and executive functions to regulate negative emotions effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Deak
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Barbara Bodrogi
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Orsi
- ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gabor Perlaki
- ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamas Bereczkei
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Park J, Zhan X, Gainey KN. Meta-Analysis of the Associations Among Constructs of Intrapersonal Emotion Knowledge. EMOTION REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/17540739211068036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To better define the boundaries of conceptually overlapping constructs of intrapersonal emotion knowledge (EK), we examined meta-analytic correlations among five intrapersonal EK-related constructs (affect labelling, alexithymia, emotional awareness, emotional clarity, emotion differentiation) and attention to emotion. Affect labelling, alexithymia, and emotional clarity were strongly associated, and they were moderately associated with attention to emotion. Alexithymia and emotional awareness were weakly associated, and emotion differentiation was unrelated with emotional clarity. Sample characteristics and measures moderated some of the associations. Publication bias was not found, except for the alexithymia-emotional awareness association. This study helped to clarify the extent to which similarly defined constructs overlap or are distinct, which can inform our decision to adequately label important constructs and employ corresponding measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhyun Park
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, USA
| | - Xinyi Zhan
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, USA
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Robinson MD, Klein RJ, Irvin RL, McGregor AZ. Attention to emotion and reliance on feelings in decision-making: Variations on a pleasure principle. Cognition 2021; 217:104904. [PMID: 34517286 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104904] [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] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Individuals are thought to differ in the extent to which they attend to and value their feelings, as captured by the construct of attention to emotion. The well-being correlates of attention to emotion have been extensively studied, but the decision-making correlates have not been. A three study program of research (total N = 328) sought to examine relationships between stimulus-specific feelings and decisions concerning those stimuli in the context of high levels of within-subject power. Evidence for the pleasure principle was robust, in that individuals placed a virtual self closer to stimuli that they found more pleasant (Study 1) and they wished to re-view such stimuli more frequently (Studies 2 & 3). These relationships, however, were more pronounced at higher levels of attention to emotion. The findings affirm the importance of feelings in decision-making while highlighting ways in which individual differences in attention to emotion operate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert J Klein
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Roberta L Irvin
- North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States of America
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You B, Jackson T. Gray Matter Volume Differences Between More Versus Less Resilient Adults with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Voxel-based Morphology Study. Neuroscience 2021; 457:155-164. [PMID: 33484820 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Resilience, a personality construct that reflects capacities to persevere, maintain a positive outlook and/or thrive despite ongoing stressors, has emerged as an important focus of research on chronic pain (CP). Although behavior studies have found more resilient persons with CP experience less pain-related dysfunction than less resilient cohorts do, the presence and nature of associated brain structure differences has received scant attention. To address this gap, we examined gray matter volume (GMV) differences between more versus less resilient adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Participants (75 women, 43 men) were community-dwellers who reported ongoing musculoskeletal pain for at least three months. More (n = 57) and less (n = 61) resilient subgroups, respectively, were identified on the basis of scoring above and below median scores on two validated resilience questionnaires. Voxel-based morphology (VBM) undertaken to examine resilience subgroup differences in GMV indicated more resilient participants displayed significantly larger GMV in the (1) bilateral precuneus, (2) left superior and inferior parietal lobules, (3) orbital right middle frontal gyrus and medial right superior frontal gyrus, and (4) bilateral median cingulate and paracingulate gyri, even after controlling for subgroup differences on demographics and measures of pain-related distress. Together, results underscored the presence and nature of specific GMV differences underlying subjective reports of more versus less resilient responses to ongoing musculoskeletal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei You
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, China Education Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Qiannan Preschool Education College, Guizhou 551300, China
| | - Todd Jackson
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, SAR, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, China Education Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Bajaj S, Killgore WDS. Association between emotional intelligence and effective brain connectome: A large-scale spectral DCM study. Neuroimage 2021; 229:117750. [PMID: 33454407 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a well-documented aspect of social and interpersonal functioning, but the underlying neural mechanisms for this capacity remain poorly understood. Here we used advanced brain connectivity techniques to explore the associations between EI and effective connectivity (EC) within four functional brain networks. METHODS The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) was used to collect EI data from 55 healthy individuals (mean age = 30.56±8.3 years, 26 males). The MSCEIT comprises two area cores - experiential EI (T1) and strategic EI (T2). The T1 core included two sub-scales - perception of emotions (S1) and using emotions to facilitate thinking (S2), and the T2 core included two sub-scales - understanding of emotions (S3) and management of emotions (S4). All participants underwent structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) scans. The spectral dynamic causal modeling approach was implemented to estimate EC within four networks of interest - the default-mode network (DMN), dorsal attention network (DAN), control-execution network (CEN) and salience network (SN). The strength of EC within each network was correlated with the measures of EI, with correlations at pFDR < 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS There was no significant association between any of the measures of EI and EC strength within the DMN and DAN. For CEN, however, we found that there were significant negative associations between EC strength from the right anterior prefrontal cortex (RAPFC) to the left anterior prefrontal cortex (LAPFC) and both S2 and T1, and significant positive associations between EC strength from LAPFC to RAPFC and S2. EC strength from the right superior parietal cortex (SPC) to RAPFC also showed significant negative association with S4 and T2. For the SN, S3 showed significant negative association with EC strength from the right insula to RAPFC and significant positive association with EC strength from the left insula to dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (DACC). CONCLUSIONS We provide evidence that the negative ECs within the right hemisphere, and from the right to left hemisphere, and positive ECs within the left hemisphere and from the left to right hemisphere of CEN (involving bilateral frontal and right parietal region) and SN (involving right frontal, anterior cingulate and bilateral insula) play a significant role in regulating and processing emotions. These findings also suggest that measures of EC can be utilized as important biomarkers to better understand the underlying neural mechanisms of EI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Bajaj
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory (SCAN Lab), Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Multimodal Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory (MCNL), Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14015 Flanagan Blvd. Suite #102, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA.
| | - William D S Killgore
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory (SCAN Lab), Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Ramezani N, Yarahmadi P, Alirezaei M, Forouzannia SM, Kazemi Mozdabadi RS, Rezaei Aliabadi H, Gheini MR, Sahraian MA, Naser Moghadasi A. Evaluation of emotional intelligence (EI) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients compared to healthy individuals. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020; 45:102387. [PMID: 32663794 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102387] [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: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is known as an autoimmune astrocytopathic disorder involving central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this study was to compare Emotional Intelligence (EI) score between NMOSD patients and healthy individuals, and to find out the possible effect of this disease on EI. METHODS A total of 45 NMOSD participants and 48 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Demographic information (e.g., gender and age) of all participants as well as their level of education, and data on the patients' duration of disease were collected. EI of each participant was assessed using Persian version of Emotional Quotient inventory (EQ-i) questionnaire. RESULTS The mean total EI score was significantly different between the participants and controls (322±36.7 vs 338±31.5, p value<0.03). Compared to controls, patients had a poor performance in 4 of 15 EI subscales including emotional self-awareness (21.29±3.6 vs 22.85±3, p value<0.03), optimism (22.4±4 vs 24.1±3.1, p value<0.03), self-regard (22.7±4.6 vs 24.5±3.4, p value<0.04), and impulse control (16.9±6.5 vs 19.5±5.5, p value<0.05). No difference was found between anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) positive and AQP4-IgG negative patients regarding EI score or its subscale scores, except for self-actualization (p value<0.05). CONCLUSION Our study showed that EI could be regarded as a tool for understanding emotions, thoughts, and behavior of NMOSD patients. It was implied that taking therapeutic steps could improve the performance of NMOSD patients with EI impairment in social life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Ramezani
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pourya Yarahmadi
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Alirezaei
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Forouzannia
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohammad Reza Gheini
- Department of Neurology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sahraian
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Tantik Pak A, Otcu H, Sengul HS, Corakci Z, Sengul Y, Alkan A. Cognitive and brain micro-structural correlates of alexithymia in essential tremor patients. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2020; 29:536-545. [PMID: 32657147 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2020.1786693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder which has both motor and non-motor findings such as neuropsychiatic symptoms. Alexithymia is defined as inability to identify and describe emotions experienced by one's self or others. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the neurocognitive and brain micro-structural correlates of alexithymia in ET. 40 ET patients (mean age = 53.05 ± 19.74 years), were included. Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and detailed neurocognitive evaluation were applied to all patients. The patients were divided into three groups based on their TAS scores: no alexithymia, probable alexithymia, definite alexithymia. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) was performed in all patients. The mean TAS score was 50.05 ± 10.06. Depressive symptoms and anxiety levels were higher in definite alexithymia (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). Partial correlation controlling for age, gender and educational level between alexithymia scores and each cognitive test showed significant association between similarities (p < 0.001) and phonemic verbal fluency (p = 0.04). Left orbitofrontal cortex average diffusion coefficient (ADC) value (p = 0.05), left anterior cingulate cortex fractional anisotropy (FA) value (p = 0.04), right cuneus FA value (p = 0.04), left amygdala ADC value (p = 0.01) and left insula ADC value (p = 0.02) were differed between groups. TAS and DTImetrics were not found to be independently associated with the level of anxiety (p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (p < 0.01). As a conclusion, impairments in executive function and complex attention were correlated with higher levels of alexithymia in ET. Many micro-structural alterations were determined to be correlated with alexithymia levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aygul Tantik Pak
- Department of Neurology, Ministry of Health University, Gaziosmanpasa Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hafize Otcu
- Department of Radiology, Bezmialem Foundation University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hakan Serdar Sengul
- Department of Psychiatry, Ministry of Health University, Gaziosmanpasa Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Corakci
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Bezmialem Foundation University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yildizhan Sengul
- Department of Neurology, Bezmialem Foundation University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alpay Alkan
- Department of Radiology, Bezmialem Foundation University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Demers LA, Schreiner MW, Hunt RH, Mueller BA, Klimes-Dougan B, Thomas KM, Cullen KR. Alexithymia is associated with neural reactivity to masked emotional faces in adolescents who self-harm. J Affect Disord 2019; 249:253-261. [PMID: 30780118 PMCID: PMC6724702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a major, trans-diagnostic mental health problem among adolescents. Alexithymia has been identified as a developmental risk factor for NSSI. Research on how alexithymia relates to the neurobiology of automatic emotion processing is only beginning to emerge. This study evaluates the relationship between alexithymic features and neural responses to automatic processing of emotional content in adolescents with NSSI. METHODS 25 female adolescents (ages 13-21) with a history of repeated engagement in NSSI completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a task in which participants were exposed to masked emotions. RESULTS One facet of alexithymia, limited internal emotion awareness or externally-oriented thinking (EOT), was related to differential reactivity to masked emotional faces in clusters in the right supramarginal gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus. Follow-up assessment of regional reactivity revealed that greater EOT is associated with lower activation to masked happy faces but higher activation to masked fearful faces. Other facets of alexithymia did not show relationships with reactivity to masked emotional faces. LIMITATIONS This is a cross-sectional and small sample that only includes females, which may attenuate generalizability of findings. CONCLUSIONS We report neural correlates of multiple facets of alexithymia in adolescents with NSSI. Among adolescents who self-harm, those with higher levels of EOT may be less alert to subtle positively-valenced emotion cues. For this subset of adolescents with NSSI, interventions designed to enhance mental representation of emotional responses and attention to positive emotions may be appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Demers
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | | | - Ruskin H Hunt
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Bryon A Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Bonnie Klimes-Dougan
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kathleen M Thomas
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kathryn R Cullen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic pain disorder (CPD) has been associated with brain changes, especially in limbic circuits. However, in most patients with chronic pain, depression or anxiety is a common comorbidity. In this exploratory and naturalistic study, we investigated brain cortical thickness (CTh) differences between patients with CPD and healthy controls, with consideration of concurrent psychiatric symptoms. METHODS Twenty-three patients with CPD and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in this study. CTh was estimated using Freesurfer on high-resolution three-dimensional T1-weighted images acquired with a 3T scanner. Group differences were investigated using an analysis of covariance model that included age, sex, and Beck Depression Inventory I and Trait Anxiety Inventory scores as covariates. The relationship between CTh and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) scores was also investigated in patients. Data were corrected for multiplicity using the False Discovery Rate approach (q < .05). RESULTS The comparison between groups using demographics and Beck Depression Inventory I scores as covariates showed thinner cortex in patients compared with controls, after correction for multiplicity in the left precentral (F(1,42) = 21.9, p < .05) and postcentral gyri (F(1,42) = 26.9, p < .05) and in the left inferior temporal sulcus (F(1,42) = 19.6, p < .05). Moreover, using the Trait Anxiety Inventory as covariate, a trend toward significance (p < .001 uncorrected) was seen for the left precentral gyrus (F(1,42) = 13.8), right middle frontal (F(1,42) = 14.3) and inferior parietal gyri (F(1,42) = 13.4), and right anterior temporal pole (F(1,42) = 15.9). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that brain morphological differences between patients with chronic pain disorder and healthy controls are localized to regions that correspond to sensory as well as affective dimensions of pain processing.
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14
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He L, Mao Y, Sun J, Zhuang K, Zhu X, Qiu J, Chen X. Examining Brain Structures Associated With Emotional Intelligence and the Mediated Effect on Trait Creativity in Young Adults. Front Psychol 2018; 9:925. [PMID: 29962984 PMCID: PMC6014059 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the association between emotional intelligence (EI) and trait creativity (TC), and the brain structural bases which involves. This study investigated the neuroanatomical basis of the association between EI and TC which measured by the Schutte self-report EI scale and the Williams creativity aptitude test. First, the voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis was used to explore the brain structures which is closely related to EI in a large young sample (n = 213). The results showed that EI was positively correlated with the regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), which is regarded as a key region of emotional processing. More importantly, further mediation analysis revealed that rGMV in the right OFC partially mediated the association between EI and TC, which showed the OFC volume could account for the relationship between EI and TC. These findings confirmed the close relationship between EI and TC, and highlighted that the brain volumetric variation in the OFC associated with the top-down processing of emotion regulation, which may play a critical role in the promotion of TC. Together, these findings contributed to sharpening the understanding of the complex relationship between EI and TC from the perspective of brain structural basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- School of Education, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Mao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiangzhou Sun
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kaixiang Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingxing Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- School of Education, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Student Mental Health Education and Consultation Center, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
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15
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Killgore WDS, Smith R, Olson EA, Weber M, Rauch SL, Nickerson LD. Emotional intelligence is associated with connectivity within and between resting state networks. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 12:1624-1636. [PMID: 28981827 PMCID: PMC5737574 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotional intelligence (EI) is defined as an individual’s capacity to accurately perceive, understand, reason about, and regulate emotions, and to apply that information to facilitate thought and achieve goals. Although EI plays an important role in mental health and success in academic, professional and social realms, the neurocircuitry underlying this capacity remains poorly characterized, and no study to date has yet examined the relationship between EI and intrinsic neural network function. Here, in a sample of 54 healthy individuals (28 women, 26 men), we apply independent components analysis (ICA) with dual regression to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired while subjects were resting in the scanner to investigate brain circuits (intrinsic resting state networks) whose activity is associated with greater self-reported (i.e. Trait) and objectively measured (i.e. Ability) EI. We show that higher Ability EI, but not Trait EI, is associated with stronger negatively correlated spontaneous fMRI signals between the basal ganglia/limbic network (BGN) and posterior default mode network (DMN), and regions involved in emotional processing and regulation. Importantly, these findings suggest that the functional connectivity within and between intrinsic networks associated with mentation, affective regulation, emotion processing, and reward are strongly related to ability EI.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D S Killgore
- Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Lab, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ryan Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Olson
- Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Lab, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Mareen Weber
- Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Lab, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Scott L Rauch
- Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Lab, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Lisa D Nickerson
- Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Lab, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
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16
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Kao YC, Lien YJ, Chang HA, Tzeng NS, Yeh CB, Loh CH. Stigma Resistance in Stable Schizophrenia: The Relative Contributions of Stereotype Endorsement, Self-Reflection, Self-Esteem, and Coping Styles. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2017; 62:735-744. [PMID: 28884606 PMCID: PMC5638194 DOI: 10.1177/0706743717730827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stigma resistance (SR) has recently emerged as a prominent aspect of research on recovery from schizophrenia, partly because studies have suggested that the development of stigma-resisting beliefs may help individuals lead a fulfilling life and recover from their mental illness. The present study assessed the relationship between personal SR ability and prediction variables such as self-stigma, self-esteem, self-reflection, coping styles, and psychotic symptomatology. METHOD We performed an exploratory cross-sectional study of 170 community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia. Self-stigma, self-esteem, self-reflection, coping skills, and SR were assessed through self-report. Psychotic symptom severity was rated by the interviewers. Factors showing significant association in univariate analyses were included in a stepwise backward regression model. RESULTS Stepwise regressions revealed that acceptance of stereotypes of mental illness, self-esteem, self-reflection, and only 2 adaptive coping strategies (positive reinterpretation and religious coping) were significant predictors of SR. The prediction model accounted for 27.1% of the variance in the SR subscale score in our sample. CONCLUSIONS Greater reflective capacity, greater self-esteem, greater preferences for positive reinterpretation and religious coping, and fewer endorsements of the stereotypes of mental illness may be key factors that relate to higher levels of SR. These factors are potentially modifiable in tailored interventions, and such modification may produce considerable improvements in the SR of the investigated population. This study has implications for psychosocial rehabilitation and emerging views of recovery from mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Kao
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.,2 Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Ju Lien
- 3 Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Chang
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,4 Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nian-Sheng Tzeng
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,4 Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Bin Yeh
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,4 Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hui Loh
- 5 School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Chalah MA, Ayache SS. Alexithymia in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of literature. Neuropsychologia 2017; 104:31-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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18
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The relationship between trait positive empathy and brain structure: a voxel-based morphometry study. Neuroreport 2016; 27:422-6. [PMID: 26963166 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000000557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Although studies relating to positive empathy have received increased attention in recent years, no studies have been carried out to explore the neural basis of positive empathy. Using a voxel-based morphometry analysis, this study investigates the relationship between trait positive empathy (as measured by the Positive Empathy Scale) and its association with brain structure in 86 healthy college students. The results indicate that an individual's ability to show positive empathy is positively correlated with the volume of gray matter in the right insula, left anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex. It may be suggested that the differences between the abilities of emotion processing and regulating play important roles in shaping an individual's positive empathy traits from the perspective of brain morphometry.
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19
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Hogeveen J, Salvi C, Grafman J. 'Emotional Intelligence': Lessons from Lesions. Trends Neurosci 2016; 39:694-705. [PMID: 27647325 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
'Emotional intelligence' (EI) is one of the most highly used psychological terms in popular nomenclature, yet its construct, divergent, and predictive validities are contentiously debated. Despite this debate, the EI construct is composed of a set of emotional abilities - recognizing emotional states in the self and others, using emotions to guide thought and behavior, understanding how emotions shape behavior, and emotion regulation - that undoubtedly influence important social and personal outcomes. In this review, evidence from human lesion studies is reviewed in order to provide insight into the necessary brain regions for each of these core emotional abilities. Critically, we consider how this neuropsychological evidence might help to guide efforts to define and measure EI.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hogeveen
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | - C Salvi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - J Grafman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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20
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Pisner DA, Smith R, Alkozei A, Klimova A, Killgore WDS. Highways of the emotional intellect: white matter microstructural correlates of an ability-based measure of emotional intelligence. Soc Neurosci 2016; 12:253-267. [PMID: 27072165 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2016.1176600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Individuals differ in their ability to understand emotional information and apply that understanding to make decisions and solve problems effectively - a construct known as Emotional Intelligence (EI). While considerable evidence supports the importance of EI in social and occupational functioning, the neural underpinnings of this capacity are relatively unexplored. We used Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) to determine the white matter correlates of EI as measured by the ability-based Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Participants included 32 healthy adults (16 men; 16 women), aged 18-45 years. White matter integrity in key tracts was positively correlated with the Strategic Area branches of the MSCEIT (Understanding Emotions and Managing Emotions), but not the Experiential branches (Perceiving and Facilitating Emotions). Specifically, the Understanding Emotions branch was associated with greater fractional anisotropy (FA) within somatosensory and sensory-motor fiber bundles, particularly those of the left superior longitudinal fasciculus and corticospinal tract. Managing Emotions was associated with greater FA within frontal-affective association tracts including the anterior forceps and right uncinate fasciculus, along with frontal-parietal cingulum and interhemispheric corpus callosum tracts. These findings suggest that specific components of EI are directly related to the structural microarchitecture of major axonal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek A Pisner
- a Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory , University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson , AZ , USA
| | - Ryan Smith
- a Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory , University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson , AZ , USA
| | - Anna Alkozei
- a Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory , University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson , AZ , USA
| | - Aleksandra Klimova
- a Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory , University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson , AZ , USA
| | - William D S Killgore
- a Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory , University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson , AZ , USA.,b Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, McLean Hospital , Harvard Medical School , Belmont , MA , USA
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21
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Quarto T, Blasi G, Maddalena C, Viscanti G, Lanciano T, Soleti E, Mangiulli I, Taurisano P, Fazio L, Bertolino A, Curci A. Association between Ability Emotional Intelligence and Left Insula during Social Judgment of Facial Emotions. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148621. [PMID: 26859495 PMCID: PMC4747486 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human ability of identifying, processing and regulating emotions from social stimuli is generally referred as Emotional Intelligence (EI). Within EI, Ability EI identifies a performance measure assessing individual skills at perceiving, using, understanding and managing emotions. Previous models suggest that a brain "somatic marker circuitry" (SMC) sustains emotional sub-processes included in EI. Three primary brain regions are included: the amygdala, the insula and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Here, our aim was to investigate the relationship between Ability EI scores and SMC activity during social judgment of emotional faces. Sixty-three healthy subjects completed a test measuring Ability EI and underwent fMRI during a social decision task (i.e. approach or avoid) about emotional faces with different facial expressions. Imaging data revealed that EI scores are associated with left insula activity during social judgment of emotional faces as a function of facial expression. Specifically, higher EI scores are associated with greater left insula activity during social judgment of fearful faces but also with lower activity of this region during social judgment of angry faces. These findings indicate that the association between Ability EI and the SMC activity during social behavior is region- and emotion-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Quarto
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giuseppe Blasi
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Maddalena
- Department of Education Science, Psychology and Communication Science, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Viscanti
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Tiziana Lanciano
- Department of Education Science, Psychology and Communication Science, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuela Soleti
- Department of Education Science, Psychology and Communication Science, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Ivan Mangiulli
- Department of Education Science, Psychology and Communication Science, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Taurisano
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Fazio
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolino
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- pRED, NORD DTA, Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antonietta Curci
- Department of Education Science, Psychology and Communication Science, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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22
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Grabe HJ, Wittfeld K, Van der Auwera S, Janowitz D, Hegenscheid K, Habes M, Homuth G, Barnow S, John U, Nauck M, Völzke H, Meyer zu Schwabedissen H, Freyberger HJ, Hosten N. Effect of the interaction between childhood abuse and rs1360780 of the FKBP5 gene on gray matter volume in a general population sample. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 37:1602-13. [PMID: 26813705 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The FKBP5 gene codes for a co-chaperone that regulates glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity and thereby impacts the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis. Evidence suggested that subjects exposed to childhood abuse and carrying the TT genotype of the FKBP5 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1360780 have an increased susceptibility to stress-related disorders. METHOD The hypothesis that abused TT genotype carriers show changes in gray matter (GM) volumes in affect-processing brain areas was investigated. About 1,826 Caucasian subjects (age ≤ 65 years) from the general population [Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)] in Germany were investigated. The interaction between rs1360780 and child abuse (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and its effect on GM were analyzed. RESULTS Voxel-based whole-brain interaction analysis revealed three large clusters (FWE-corrected) of reduced GM volumes comprising the bilateral insula, the superior and middle temporal gyrus, the bilateral hippocampus, the right amygdala, and the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex in abused TT carriers. These results were not confounded by major depressive disorders. In region of interest analyses, highly significant volume reductions in the right hippocampus/parahippocampus, the bilateral anterior and middle cingulate cortex, the insula, and the amygdala were confirmed in abused TT carriers compared with abused CT/CC carriers. CONCLUSION The results supported the hypothesis that the FKBP5 rs1360780 TT genotype predisposes subjects who have experienced childhood abuse to widespread structural brain changes in the subcortical and cortical emotion-processing brain areas. Those brain changes might contribute to an increased vulnerability of stress-related disorders in TT genotype carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Jörgen Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Wittfeld
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sandra Van der Auwera
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/Greifswald, Germany
| | - Deborah Janowitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katrin Hegenscheid
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mohamad Habes
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Georg Homuth
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Barnow
- Institute of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich John
- Institute of Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | | | - Norbert Hosten
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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23
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Demers LA, Olson EA, Crowley DJ, Rauch SL, Rosso IM. Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Thickness Is Related to Alexithymia in Childhood Trauma-Related PTSD. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139807. [PMID: 26439117 PMCID: PMC4595375 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia, or “no words for feelings”, is highly prevalent in samples with childhood maltreatment and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) has been identified as a key region involved in alexithymia, early life trauma, and PTSD. Functional alterations in the dACC also have been associated with alexithymia in PTSD. This study examined whether dACC morphology is a neural correlate of alexithymia in child maltreatment-related PTSD. Sixteen adults with PTSD and a history of childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, or exposure to domestic violence, and 24 healthy controls (HC) completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20 (TAS–20) and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness of the dACC was measured using FreeSurfer, and values were correlated with TAS–20 scores, controlling for sex and age, in both groups. Average TAS–20 score was significantly higher in the PTSD than the HC group. TAS–20 scores were significantly positively associated with dACC thickness only in the PTSD group. This association was strongest in the left hemisphere and for TAS–20 subscales that assess difficulty identifying and describing feelings. We found that increasing dACC gray matter thickness is a neural correlate of greater alexithymia in the context of PTSD with childhood maltreatment. While findings are correlational, they motivate further inquiry into the relationships between childhood adversity, emotional awareness and expression, and dACC morphologic development in trauma-related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. Demers
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Olson
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David J. Crowley
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Scott L. Rauch
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Isabelle M. Rosso
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Goerlich-Dobre KS, Votinov M, Habel U, Pripfl J, Lamm C. Neuroanatomical profiles of alexithymia dimensions and subtypes. Hum Brain Mapp 2015; 36:3805-18. [PMID: 26094609 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia, a major risk factor for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders, has been recognized to comprise two dimensions, a cognitive dimension (difficulties identifying, analyzing, and verbalizing feelings) and an affective one (difficulties emotionalizing and fantasizing). Based on these dimensions, the existence of four distinct alexithymia subtypes has been proposed, but never empirically tested. In this study, 125 participants were assigned to four groups corresponding to the proposed alexithymia subtypes: Type I (impairment on both dimensions), Type II (impairment on the cognitive, but not the affective dimension), Type III (impairment on the affective, but not the cognitive dimension), and Lexithymics (no impairment on either dimension). By means of voxel-based morphometry, associations of the alexithymia dimensions and subtypes with gray and white matter volumes were analyzed. Type I and Type II alexithymia were characterized by gray matter volume reductions in the left amygdala and the thalamus. The cognitive dimension was further linked to volume reductions in the right amygdala, left posterior insula, precuneus, caudate, hippocampus, and parahippocampus. Type III alexithymia was marked by volume reduction in the MCC only, and the affective dimension was further characterized by larger sgACC volume. Moreover, individuals with the intermediate alexithymia Types II and III showed gray matter volume reductions in distinct regions, and had larger corpus callosum volumes compared to Lexithymics. These results substantiate the notion of a differential impact of the cognitive and affective alexithymia dimensions on brain morphology and provide evidence for separable neuroanatomical representations of the different alexithymia subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikhail Votinov
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,JARA - Translational Brain Medicine, Aachen & Jülich, NorthRhine-Westfalia, Germany
| | - Juergen Pripfl
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claus Lamm
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Pan W, Wang T, Wang X, Hitchman G, Wang L, Chen A. Identifying the core components of emotional intelligence: evidence from amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations during resting state. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111435. [PMID: 25356830 PMCID: PMC4214743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional intelligence (EI) is a multi-faceted construct consisting of our ability to perceive, monitor, regulate and use emotions. Despite much attention being paid to the neural substrates of EI, little is known of the spontaneous brain activity associated with EI during resting state. We used resting-state fMRI to investigate the association between the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) and EI in a large sample of young, healthy adults. We found that EI was significantly associated with ALFFs in key nodes of two networks: the social emotional processing network (the fusiform gyrus, right superior orbital frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule) and the cognitive control network (the bilateral pre-SMA, cerebellum and right precuneus). These findings suggest that the neural correlates of EI involve several brain regions in two crucial networks, which reflect the core components of EI: emotion perception and emotional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weigang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiangpeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Glenn Hitchman
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lijun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Antao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
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26
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The correlation between emotional intelligence and gray matter volume in university students. Brain Cogn 2014; 91:100-7. [PMID: 25282329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2014.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A number of recent studies have investigated the neurological substrates of emotional intelligence (EI), but none of them have considered the neural correlates of EI that are measured using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Scale (SSREIS). This scale was developed based on the EI model of Salovey and Mayer (1990). In the present study, SSREIS was adopted to estimate EI. Meanwhile, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) were used to evaluate the gray matter volume (GMV) of 328 university students. Results found positive correlations between Monitor of Emotions and VBM measurements in the insula and orbitofrontal cortex. In addition, Utilization of Emotions was positively correlated with the GMV in the parahippocampal gyrus, but was negatively correlated with the VBM measurements in the fusiform gyrus and middle temporal gyrus. Furthermore, Social Ability had volume correlates in the vermis. These findings indicate that the neural correlates of the EI model, which primarily focuses on the abilities of individuals to appraise and express emotions, can also regulate and utilize emotions to solve problems.
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Grabe HJ, Wittfeld K, Hegenscheid K, Hosten N, Lotze M, Janowitz D, Völzke H, John U, Barnow S, Freyberger HJ. Alexithymia and brain gray matter volumes in a general population sample. Hum Brain Mapp 2014; 35:5932-45. [PMID: 25081815 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is perceived as a personality construct involving deficits in the cognitive processing of emotion. Brain areas that process emotions might be structurally altered in affected people. Subjects from the Study of Health in Pomerania who underwent whole body magnetic resonance imaging were investigated. After quality control procedures 2,589 subjects with Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20 (TAS-20) data and interview-based information on major depressive disorder (MDD) were available. After exclusion of study participants who were older than 65 years or had MDD in their lifetime, 1,685 subjects were included in the voxel-based morphometric (VBM 8) analyses. In whole-brain analyses, the TAS-20 total score was associated with less gray matter (GM) volumes of the bilateral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). The TAS-20 factor scale difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) was associated with less GM volume in three clusters: dACC, left middle and inferior temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus and cerebellum. The lower GM volume in the left fusiform gyrus was specific for females. Absolute GM volume analyses also revealed associations between the factor scales difficulty describing feelings, external orientated thinking and the dACC. Adjustment for current symptoms of anxiety and depression did not change the effects sizes substantially. In conclusion, lower GM volume in the dACC represents the major structural correlate of alexithymia. Associations with DIF suggest a prominent involvement of left temporal areas. These areas represent language and semantic processing and might be involved in the cognitive processing of emotions and the conscious identification of feelings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Jörgen Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Helios Hospital Stralsund, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock/ Greifswald, Germany
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28
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Kong F, Zhen Z, Li J, Huang L, Wang X, Song Y, Liu J. Sex-related neuroanatomical basis of emotion regulation ability. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97071. [PMID: 24835267 PMCID: PMC4024009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral research has demonstrated that males have a higher capability of regulating their own and others' emotions than females; however, little is known about the sex-specific brain mechanisms involved in emotion regulation ability. In the present study, we used voxel-based morphometry to investigate the neural basis underlying emotion regulation ability in a large sample of young adults. Assessment of emotion regulation ability was performed using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. As expected, males significantly scored higher in emotion regulation ability than females did. More importantly, we found the sex differences in the neuroanatomical basis of emotion regulation ability. Males showed a stronger positive relation between emotion regulation ability and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In contrast, females demonstrated a stronger positive relation between emotion regulation ability and rGMV in an anatomical cluster that extends from the left brainstem to the left hippocampus, the left amygdala and the insular cortex. The present study provides the first empirical evidence regarding the sex-linked neuroanatomical correlates of emotion regulation ability. These findings may help understand why there is a higher prevalence of affective disorders in females and maladaptive behaviors in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zonglei Zhen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lijie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiying Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Dissociable morphometric profiles of the affective and cognitive dimensions of alexithymia. Cortex 2014; 54:190-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2014.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Seo D, Olman CA, Haut KM, Sinha R, MacDonald AW, Patrick CJ. Neural correlates of preparatory and regulatory control over positive and negative emotion. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2014; 9:494-504. [PMID: 23887812 PMCID: PMC3989138 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nst115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain activation during preparatory and regulatory control while participants (N = 24) were instructed either to simply view or decrease their emotional response to, pleasant, neutral or unpleasant pictures. A main effect of emotional valence on brain activity was found in the right precentral gyrus, with greater activation during positive than negative emotion regulation. A main effect of regulation phase was evident in the bilateral anterior prefrontal cortex (PFC), precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, right putamen and temporal and occipital lobes, with greater activity in these regions during preparatory than regulatory control. A valence X regulation interaction was evident in regions of ventromedial PFC and anterior cingulate cortex, reflecting greater activation while regulating negative than positive emotion, but only during active emotion regulation (not preparation). Conjunction analyses revealed common brain regions involved in differing types of emotion regulation including selected areas of left lateral PFC, inferior parietal lobe, temporal lobe, right cerebellum and bilateral dorsomedial PFC. The right lateral PFC was additionally activated during the modulation of both positive and negative valence. Findings demonstrate significant modulation of brain activity during both preparation for, and active regulation of positive and negative emotional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongju Seo
- 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
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31
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Nardo D, Högberg G, Lanius RA, Jacobsson H, Jonsson C, Hällström T, Pagani M. Gray matter volume alterations related to trait dissociation in PTSD and traumatized controls. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013; 128:222-33. [PMID: 23113800 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to investigate brain structural alterations related to trait dissociation and its relationship with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD Thirty-two subjects either developing (N = 15) or non-developing (N = 17) PTSD underwent MRI scanning and were assessed with the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), subscales for pathological (DES-T) and non-pathological trait (DES-A) dissociation, and other clinical measures. Gray matter volume (GMV) was analyzed using VBM as implemented in SPM. PTSD and non-PTSD subjects were compared to assess brain alterations related to PTSD pathology, whereas correlation analyses between dissociation measures and GMV were performed on the whole sample (N = 32), irrespective of PTSD diagnosis, to identify alterations related to trait dissociation. RESULTS As compared to traumatized controls, PTSD subjects showed reduced GMV in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and lingual gyrus. Correlations with dissociation measures (DES, DES-T, and DES-A) consistently showed increased GMV in the medial and lateral prefrontal, orbitofrontal, parahippocampal, temporal polar, and inferior parietal cortices. CONCLUSION PTSD and dissociation seem to be associated with opposite volumetric patterns in the prefrontal cortex. Trait dissociation appears to involve increased GMV in prefrontal, paralimbic, and parietal cortices, with negligible differences between pathological and non-pathological dissociation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Nardo
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
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32
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Killgore WDS, Schwab ZJ, Tkachenko O, Webb CA, DelDonno SR, Kipman M, Rauch SL, Weber M. Emotional intelligence correlates with functional responses to dynamic changes in facial trustworthiness. Soc Neurosci 2013; 8:334-46. [DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2013.807300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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33
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Takeuchi H, Taki Y, Nouchi R, Hashizume H, Sassa Y, Sekiguchi A, Kotozaki Y, Nakagawa S, Nagase T, Miyauchi CM, Kawashima R. Anatomical correlates of quality of life: evidence from voxel-based morphometry. Hum Brain Mapp 2013; 35:1834-46. [PMID: 23671021 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Quality of life (QOL) has been defined in many ways, and these definitions usually emphasize happiness and satisfaction with life. Health-related problems are known to cause lower QOL. However, the neural mechanisms underlying individual differences in QOL measured by questionnaire (QOLMQ) in young healthy subjects are unknown. QOL is essential to our well-being, and investigation of the neural mechanisms underlying QOL in uncompromised subjects is obviously of great scientific and social interest. We used voxel-based morphometry to investigate the association between regional gray matter volume (rGMV) and QOLMQ across the brain in healthy young adults (age, 21.4 ± 1.8 years) men (n = 88) and women (n = 68) in humans. We found significant negative relationships between QOLMQ and rGMV in a region in the left rostrolateral prefrontal cortex and regions in the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate gyrus and contingent cingulate regions. These findings show that structural variations in regions associated with processing of negative emotions such as fear and anger as well as those associated with evaluation of internally generated information are associated with QOLMQ. These findings suggest that these processes might be related to QOLMQ in healthy young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Takeuchi
- Smart Ageing International Research Center, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Wojtalik JA, Eack SM, Keshavan MS. Structural neurobiological correlates of Mayer-Salovery-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test performance in early course schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 40:207-12. [PMID: 23041620 PMCID: PMC3635092 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) is a key measure of social cognition in schizophrenia that has good psychometric properties and is recommended by the MATRICS committee. As a way to further investigate the validity of the MSCEIT, this study sought to examine the neurobiological correlates of MSCEIT performance in patients with early course schizophrenia. METHODS A total of 51 patients diagnosed with early course, stabilized schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and the MSCEIT. Investigation of the associations between MSCEIT performance and gray matter morphology was examined by conducting voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses across hypothesized social-cognitive regions of interest using automated anatomical labeling in Statistical Parametric Mapping Software, version 5 (SPM5). All VBM analyses utilized general linear models examining gray matter density partitioned images, adjusting for demographic and illness-related confounds. VBM results were then followed up with confirmatory volumetric analyses. RESULTS Patients with poorer overall and Facilitating, Understanding, and Managing Emotions subscale performances on the MSCEIT showed significantly reduced gray matter density in the left parahippocampal gyrus. Additionally, attenuated performance on the Facilitating and Managing Emotions subscales was significantly associated with reduced right posterior cingulate gray matter density. All associations observed between MSCEIT performance and gray matter density were supported with confirmatory gray matter volumetric analyses, with the exception of the association between the right posterior cingulate and the facilitation of emotions. CONCLUSION These findings provide additional evidence for the MSCEIT as a valid social-cognitive measure by elucidating its correlates with neurobiological structures commonly implicated in emotion processing. These findings provide additional biological evidence supporting the use of the MSCEIT in cognitive enhancing clinical trials in schizophrenia.
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Abstract
Research suggests that emotional intelligence capacities may be related to the functional integrity of the corticolimbic regions including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, insula, and amygdala. No study has yet examined regional brain volumes in relation to the two dominant models of emotional intelligence: the Ability model, which posits a set of specific demonstrable capabilities for solving emotional problems, and the Trait model, which proposes a set of stable emotional competencies that can be assessed through subjectively rated self-report scales. In 36 healthy participants, we correlated scores on the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (an Ability measure) and the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (a Trait measure) with regional brain volumes using voxel-based morphometry. Total Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test scores were positively correlated with the left insula grey matter volume. The Strategic emotional intelligence subscale correlated positively with the left ventromedial prefrontal cortex and insular volume. In contrast, for the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, Stress Management scores correlated positively with the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex volume. Amygdala volumes were unrelated to emotional intelligence measures. Findings support the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and insula as key nodes in the emotional intelligence circuitry.
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S. Koven N, H. Carr L. Differential Relationships among Facets of Alexithymia and BDNF- and Dopamine-Related Polymorphisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.4236/nm.2012.31002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Giuliani NR, Drabant EM, Bhatnagar R, Gross JJ. Emotion regulation and brain plasticity: expressive suppression use predicts anterior insula volume. Neuroimage 2011; 58:10-5. [PMID: 21704173 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Revised: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Expressive suppression is an emotion regulation strategy that requires interoceptive and emotional awareness. These processes both recruit the anterior insula. It is not known, however, whether increased use of expressive suppression is associated with increased anterior insula volume. In the present study, high-resolution anatomical MRI images were used to calculate insula volumes in a set of 50 healthy female subjects (mean 21.9 years) using both region of interest (ROI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approaches. Participants also completed trait measures of expressive suppression usage, cognitive reappraisal usage, and negative emotional reactivity (the latter two served as control measures). As predicted, both ROI and VBM methods found that expressive suppression usage, but not negative affect and cognitive reappraisal, was positively related to anterior insula volume. These findings are consistent with the idea that trait patterns of emotion processing are related to brain structure.
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