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Lu L, Xie Z, Wang H, Su B, Jung S, Xu X. Factors Affecting Workers' Mental Stress in Handover Activities During Human-Robot Collaboration. HUMAN FACTORS 2024:187208241226823. [PMID: 38215357 DOI: 10.1177/00187208241226823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of different approach directions, movement speeds, and trajectories of a co-robot's end-effector on workers' mental stress during handover tasks. BACKGROUND Human-robot collaboration (HRC) is gaining attention in industry and academia. Understanding robot-related factors causing mental stress is crucial for designing collaborative tasks that minimize workers' stress. METHODS Mental stress in HRC tasks was measured subjectively through self-reports and objectively through galvanic skin response (GSR) and electromyography (EMG). Robot-related factors including approach direction, movement speed, and trajectory were analyzed. RESULTS Movement speed and approach direction had significant effects on subjective ratings, EMG, and GSR. High-speed and approaching from one side consistently resulted in higher fear, lower comfort, and predictability, as well as increased EMG and GSR signals, indicating higher mental stress. Movement trajectory affected GSR, with the sudden stop condition eliciting a stronger response compared to the constrained trajectory. Interaction effects between speed and approach direction were observed for "surprise" and "predictability" subjective ratings. At high speed, approach direction did not significantly differ, but at low speeds, approaching from the side was found to be more surprising and unpredictable compared to approaching from the front. CONCLUSION The mental stress of workers during HRC is lower when the robot's end effector (1) approaches a worker within the worker's field of view, (2) approaches at a lower speed, or (3) follows a constrained trajectory. APPLICATION The outcome of this study can serve as a guide to design HRC tasks with a low level of workers' mental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- North Carolina State University, USA
| | | | | | - Bingyi Su
- North Carolina State University, USA
| | | | - Xu Xu
- North Carolina State University, USA
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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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Preece DA, Mehta A, Petrova K, Sikka P, Bjureberg J, Becerra R, Gross JJ. Alexithymia and emotion regulation. J Affect Disord 2023; 324:232-238. [PMID: 36566943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is a key transdiagnostic risk factor for emotion-based psychopathologies. Conceptual models specify that this is because alexithymia impairs emotion regulation. However, the extent of these putative emotion regulation impairments remains underexplored. Our aim in this study was to begin to address this gap by examining whether people with high, average, or low levels of alexithymia differ in the types of emotion regulation strategies they typically use. METHOD General community adults from the United States (N = 501) completed a battery of alexithymia and emotion regulation measures. Participants were grouped into high, average, and low alexithymia quantiles. RESULTS After controlling for demographics and current levels of distress, the high, average, and low alexithymia groups differed in their use of cognitive and behavioral emotion regulation strategies. Compared to the other groups, the high alexithymia group reported lesser use of generally adaptive regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal, approaching problems, and seeking social support) and greater use of generally maladaptive regulation strategies (expressive suppression, behavioral withdrawal, ignoring). LIMITATIONS Our data were cross-sectional and from self-report questionnaires. Future work in other cultural groups would be beneficial. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the view that alexithymia is associated with impaired emotion regulation. In particular, people with high alexithymia seem to exhibit a less adaptive profile of emotion regulation strategies. Direct targeting of these emotion regulation patterns in psychotherapy may therefore be a useful pathway for the treatment of emotional disorder symptoms in people with high alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Preece
- Curtin University, School of Population Health, Perth, Australia; Curtin University, Curtin enAble Institute, Perth, Australia; University of Western Australia, School of Psychological Science, Perth, Australia.
| | - Ashish Mehta
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States
| | - Kate Petrova
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States
| | - Pilleriin Sikka
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States; University of Turku, Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, Finland; University of Turku, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Finland; University of Skövde, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Philosophy, Sweden
| | - Johan Bjureberg
- Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sweden
| | - Rodrigo Becerra
- University of Western Australia, School of Psychological Science, Perth, Australia
| | - James J Gross
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States
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OXTR polymorphisms and parental bonding modulate alexithymia: The main effects and interaction. JOURNAL OF PACIFIC RIM PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/18344909231154928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is a subclinical personality disorder characterized by difficulties in identifying and expressing one's own emotion. Individual differences in alexithymia are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. However, the interplay between these factors and their influences on alexithymia are unclear. Considering that oxytocin plays important roles in emotion processing and that parental bonding influences the development of alexithymia, we explored the associations between OXTR polymorphisms and alexithymia and examined whether the potential associations are moderated by parental bonding. To this end, we genotyped the OXTR polymorphisms (rs53576 and rs1042778) and scored alexithymia and parental bonding with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Parental Bonding Instrument. Results indicated that: (1) the characteristics of alexithymia were negatively associated with parental care and positively with parental overprotection; (2) the OXTR rs53576 was significantly associated with the characteristics of alexithymia, such that the AA genotype was associated with fewer difficulties in identifying feelings and describing feelings than the AG/GG genotypes; and (3) the OXTR rs1042778 interacted with parental care in alexithymia with the vantage sensitivity model: the GG genotype was related to less severity of alexithymia than the AG/GG genotypes only in individuals with higher parental care. Overall, these findings suggest that the OXTR is related to alexithymia and that the quality of parental care influences the relationship. However, considering that the evidence from this study is weak, more research is needed to understand the roles of OXTR in alexithymia.
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Schillings C, Meissner D, Erb B, Schultchen D, Bendig E, Pollatos O. A chatbot-based intervention with ELME to improve stress and health-related parameters in a stressed sample: Study protocol of a randomised controlled trial. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:1046202. [PMID: 36937250 PMCID: PMC10014895 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1046202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Stress levels in the general population had already been increasing in recent years, and have subsequently been exacerbated by the global pandemic. One approach for innovative online-based interventions are "chatbots" - computer programs that can simulate a text-based interaction with human users via a conversational interface. Research on the efficacy of chatbot-based interventions in the context of mental health is sparse. The present study is designed to investigate the effects of a three-week chatbot-based intervention with the chatbot ELME, aiming to reduce stress and to improve various health-related parameters in a stressed sample. Methods In this multicenter, two-armed randomised controlled trial with a parallel design, a three-week chatbot-based intervention group including two daily interactive intervention sessions via smartphone (á 10-20 min.) is compared to a treatment-as-usual control group. A total of 130 adult participants with a medium to high stress levels will be recruited in Germany. Assessments will take place pre-intervention, post-intervention (after three weeks), and follow-up (after six weeks). The primary outcome is perceived stress. Secondary outcomes include self-reported interoceptive accuracy, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, personality, emotion regulation, psychological well-being, stress mindset, intervention credibility and expectancies, affinity for technology, and attitudes towards artificial intelligence. During the intervention, participants undergo ecological momentary assessments. Furthermore, satisfaction with the intervention, the usability of the chatbot, potential negative effects of the intervention, adherence, potential dropout reasons, and open feedback questions regarding the chatbot are assessed post-intervention. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first chatbot-based intervention addressing interoception, as well as in the context with the target variables stress and mindfulness. The design of the present study and the usability of the chatbot were successfully tested in a previous feasibility study. To counteract a low adherence of the chatbot-based intervention, a high guidance by the chatbot, short sessions, individual and flexible time points of the intervention units and the ecological momentary assessments, reminder messages, and the opportunity to postpone single units were implemented. Trial registration The trial is registered at the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform via the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027560; date of registration: 06 January 2022). This is protocol version No. 1. In case of important protocol modifications, trial registration will be updated.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Schillings
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: C. Schillings @stineschillings
| | - D. Meissner
- Institute of Distributed Systems, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - B. Erb
- Institute of Distributed Systems, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - D. Schultchen
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - E. Bendig
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - O. Pollatos
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Sun Y, Xu Y, Lv J, Liu Y. Self- and Situation-Focused Reappraisal are not homogeneous: Evidence from behavioral and brain networks. Neuropsychologia 2022; 173:108282. [PMID: 35660514 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reappraisal is an effective emotion regulation strategy which can be divided into self- and situation-focused subtypes. Previous studies have produced inconsistent findings on the moderating effects and neural mechanisms of reappraisal; thus, further research is necessary to clarify these inconsistencies. In this study, a total of 44 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. 23 participants were assigned to the self-focused group, while 21 participants were assigned to the situation-focused group. The participants' resting EEG data were collected for 6 minutes before the experiment began, followed by an emotional regulation task. During this task, participants were asked to view emotion-provoking images under four emotion regulation conditions (View, Watch, Increase, and Decrease). Late positive potential (LPP) was obtained when these emotional images were observed. LPP is an effective physiological indicator of emotion regulation, enabling this study to explore emotion regulation under different reappraisal strategies, as well as the functional connectivity and node efficiency within the brain. It was found that, in terms of the effect on emotion regulation, situation-focused reappraisal was significantly better than self-focused reappraisal at enhancing the valence of negative emotion, while self-focused reappraisal was significantly better than situation-focused reappraisal at increasing the arousal of negative emotion. In terms of neural mechanisms, multiple brain regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex, the frontal lobe, the parahippocampal gyrus, parts of the temporal lobe, and parts of the parietal lobe were involved in both reappraisal processes. In addition, there were some differences in brain regions associated with different forms of cognitive reappraisal. Self-focused reappraisal was associated with the posterior cingulate gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and lingual gyrus, and situation-focused reappraisal was associated with the parietal lobule, anterior central gyrus, and angular gyrus. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that self- and situation-focused reappraisal are not homogenous in terms of their effects and neural mechanisms and clarifies the uncertainties over their regulatory effects. Different types of reappraisal activate different brain regions when used, and the functional connectivity or node efficiency of these brain regions seems to be a suitable indicator for assessing the effects of different types of reappraisal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- School of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- School of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China
| | - Jiaojiao Lv
- School of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Department of Psychology, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, 037009, China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China.
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Leonidou C, Constantinou E, Panteli M, Panayiotou G. Attentional processing of unpleasant stimuli in alexithymia: Early avoidance followed by attention maintenance bias. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2054531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Constantinou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus; Kios Research & Innovation Center of Excellence, University of Cyprus
| | - Maria Panteli
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus; Center of Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus
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Hologne E, Hossu G, Fantin L, Braun M, Husson C, Tyvaert L, Hingray C. Case Report: Atonic PNES Capture in fMRI. Front Neurol 2022; 13:803145. [PMID: 35265026 PMCID: PMC8898830 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.803145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) are a misunderstood and disabling pathology, characterized by a paroxysmal occurrence of clinical signs without the epileptic activity. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) studies in patients with PNES have shown abnormal functional connectivity of the resting-state networks, especially in the limbic and motor systems, and in the precuneus. However, the transient nature of PNES episodes prevents us from elucidating the underlying mechanisms of seizures. Here, we report the case of a patient who presented an atonic episode of PNES during a 3T fMRI session. The patient is a 23-year-old woman, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, with no neurological comorbidities. The preprocessing of the fMRI images involved realignment, co-registration, segmentation, normalization, denoising (PhysIO toolbox), and smoothing. The time boundary of the seizure was defined according to the patient's reports, and the seizure period was contrasted with the resting state period before the seizure. A whole-brain analysis showed significant activations (left inferior temporal gyrus, left temporo-occipital junction) and deactivations (right precuneus, right superior parietal lobule, right postcentral gyrus, bilateral lingual gyri, inferior occipital gyri, and cerebellar lobules; right insula in a sub-thresholded analysis). Activations and deactivations occurred in four cerebral networks: emotional processing, agency, self-perception, and dissociation. To our knowledge, this report is the first published case of functional MRI during PNES. These results could confirm the emotional and dissociative hypothesis of the physiopathology of PNES and highlight future targets for neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Hologne
- Département de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Reims, France
- *Correspondence: Emmanuelle Hologne
| | - Gabriela Hossu
- IADI, U1254, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale et Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Innovation Technologique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Luca Fantin
- IADI, U1254, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale et Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
- Laboratoire Développement Adaptation Handicap (DevAH) EA 3450, Nancy, France
| | - Marc Braun
- IADI, U1254, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale et Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
- Département de Neuroradiologie Diagnostique et Thérapeutique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Cyril Husson
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie d'Adultes et d'Addictologie du Grand Nancy, Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy, Laxou, France
| | - Louise Tyvaert
- Département de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Nancy, France
- Centre de Recherche en Automatique de Nancy, U7039, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Coraline Hingray
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie d'Adultes et d'Addictologie du Grand Nancy, Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy, Laxou, France
- Département de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Nancy, France
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Scarpazza C, Zangrossi A, Huang YC, Sartori G, Massaro S. Disentangling interoceptive abilities in alexithymia. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 86:844-857. [PMID: 34097132 PMCID: PMC8182733 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-021-01538-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, research on interoceptive abilities (i.e., sensibility, accuracy, and awareness) and their associations with emotional experience has flourished. Yet interoceptive abilities in alexithymia—a personality trait characterized by a difficulty in the cognitive interpretation of emotional arousal, which impacts emotional experience—remain under-investigated, thereby limiting a full understanding of subjective emotional experience processing. Research has proposed two contrasting explanations thus far: in one model, the dimensions of interoceptive sensibility and accuracy in alexithymia would increase; in the other model, they would decrease. Surprisingly, the contribution of interoceptive awareness has been minimally researched. In this study (N = 182), the relationship between participants’ level of alexithymia and the three interoceptive dimensions was tested. Our results show that the higher the level of alexithymia is, the higher interoceptive accuracy and sensibility (R2 = 0.29 and R2 = 0.14); conversely, the higher the level of alexithymia is, the lower interoceptive awareness (R2 = 0.36). Moreover, an ROC analysis reveals that interoceptive awareness is the most accurate predictor of alexithymia, yielding over 92% accuracy. Collectively, these results support a coherent understanding of interoceptive abilities in alexithymia, whereby the dissociation of interoceptive accuracy and awareness may explain the underlying psycho-physiological mechanisms of alexithymia. A possible neurocognitive mechanism is discussed which suggests insurgence of psychosomatic disorders in alexithymia and related psychotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Scarpazza
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy.
| | - Andrea Zangrossi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center (PCN), University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Yu-Chun Huang
- The Organizational Neuroscience Laboratory, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, University Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Giuseppe Sartori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Massaro
- The Organizational Neuroscience Laboratory, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, UK.,Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, Guildford, Rik Medlik Building (MS), Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
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Wang Y, Liao C, Shangguan C, Shang W, Zhang W. Individual differences in emotion differentiation modulate electrocortical dynamics of cognitive reappraisal. Psychophysiology 2020; 57:e13690. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yali Wang
- Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics Hangzhou China
| | - Caizhi Liao
- College of Education Science Chengdu University Chengdu China
| | - Chenyu Shangguan
- Department of Psychology Education College Shanghai Normal University Shanghai China
| | - Wenjing Shang
- Department of Psychology Chengde Medical College Chengde China
| | - Wenhai Zhang
- Mental Health Center Yancheng Institute of Technology Yancheng China
- The Big Data Centre for Educational Neuroscience and AI Hengyang Normal University Hengyang China
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11
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Hao Z, Jin L. Alexithymia and Problematic Mobile Phone Use: A Moderated Mediation Model. Front Psychol 2020; 11:541507. [PMID: 33041910 PMCID: PMC7522167 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.541507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia has been studied with its impact on problematic mobile phone use. However, none of these studies has examined the roles of mindfulness facets in this relationship. To address this issue, a total of 901 Chinese undergraduate students participated in this study and were tested with questionnaires for measuring their levels of alexithymia, problematic mobile phone use, and mindfulness facets. A moderated mediation model was constructed to examine the roles of mindfulness facets in the association between alexithymia and problematic mobile phone use. The results showed that after controlling for age and sex, alexithymia positively predicted problematic mobile phone use both directly (β = 0.157, p < 0.001) and indirectly via mindfulness facet of acting with awareness (16th, 50th, and 84th percentiles of observing were −5.371, β = 0.019; −0.371, β = 0.216; and 4.629, β = 0.242, respectively, and the 95% confidence intervals were 0.142 to 0.246; 0.167 to 0.269; and 0.186 to 0.3, respectively). The facet of acting with awareness partially mediated this relationship in a negative way. Further, the facet of observing moderated the path between alexithymia and the facet of acting with awareness: with a higher level of observing, the negative association between alexithymia and acting with awareness became more negative (alexithymia × observing, β = −0.006, p = 0.001, 95% confidence interval −0.01 to −0.003). The current study advanced our understanding of the mechanism underlying the connection between alexithymia and problematic mobile phone use and helped to investigate how mindfulness skills benefited the individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zejun Hao
- School of Fundamental Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liangyi Jin
- Shenyang Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenyang, China
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12
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Di Tella M, Adenzato M, Catmur C, Miti F, Castelli L, Ardito RB. The role of alexithymia in social cognition: Evidence from a non-clinical population. J Affect Disord 2020; 273:482-492. [PMID: 32560944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is a personality construct characterised by difficulty in identifying and describing one's emotions. We investigated whether people with alexithymia, who struggle with emotion-processing abilities, have diminished emotion-related social cognitive competencies, where social cognition encompasses the set of abilities that allows one to navigate one's social environment. METHODS We assessed alexithymia and four components of social cognition: recognition of others' emotions, representation of others' affective and cognitive mental states, empathy, and regulation of one's own feelings. We investigated whether alexithymia could significantly predict each of these components, beyond the effect of other individual difference variables (i.e., anxiety/depressive symptoms), which have been previously associated with both social cognition and alexithymia. Two hundred six participants were recruited. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were performed to assess the possible relationships between alexithymia and social cognition skills. RESULTS Alexithymia significantly predicted emotion recognition, empathy, and emotional regulation, even after controlling for the effect of potentially competing factors (i.e., anxiety/depressive symptoms). Alexithymia did not predict representation of others' affective and cognitive mental states. LIMITATIONS The present study adopted a cross-sectional design, which does not permit us to draw firm conclusions about the causality of the emergent relationships. CONCLUSIONS These data provide support for the argument that recognising others' emotions and feelings relies on the ability to identify correctly one's own feelings. Our results also indicate the importance of taking into consideration individual differences in levels of alexithymia when investigating social cognition in non-clinical populations, as alexithymia appears to be clearly related to social cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialaura Di Tella
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, via Verdi 10, Turin 10124, Italy
| | - Mauro Adenzato
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, via Verdi 10, Turin 10124, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Miti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorys Castelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, via Verdi 10, Turin 10124, Italy
| | - Rita B Ardito
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Kühnel A, Widmann A, Colic L, Herrmann L, Demenescu LR, Leutritz AL, Li M, Grimm S, Nolte T, Fonagy P, Walter M. Impaired cognitive self-awareness mediates the association between alexithymia and excitation/inhibition balance in the pgACC. Psychol Med 2020; 50:1727-1735. [PMID: 31328716 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719001806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research showed that automatic emotion regulation is associated with activation of subcortical areas and subsequent feedforward processes to cortical areas. In contrast, cognitive awareness of emotions is mediated by negative feedback from cortical to subcortical areas. Pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) is essential in the modulation of both affect and alexithymia. We considered the interplay between these two mechanisms in the pgACC and their relationship with alexithymia. METHOD In 68 healthy participants (30 women, age = 26.15 ± 4.22) we tested associations of emotion processing and alexithymia with excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance represented as glutamate (Glu)/GABA in the pgACC measured via magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 7 T. RESULTS Alexithymia was positively correlated with the Glu/GABA ratio (N = 41, p = 0.0393). Further, cognitive self-awareness showed an association with Glu/GABA (N = 52, p = 0.003), which was driven by a correlation with GABA. In contrast, emotion regulation was only correlated with glutamate levels in the pgACC (N = 49, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION Our results corroborate the importance of the pgACC as a mediating region of alexithymia, reflected in an altered E/I balance. Furthermore, we could specify that this altered balance is linked to a GABA-related modulation of cognitive self-awareness of emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kühnel
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - A Widmann
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - L Colic
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Mood Disorders Research Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - L Herrmann
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - L R Demenescu
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - A L Leutritz
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - M Li
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, OVGU Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S Grimm
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité, CBF, Berlin, Germany
- MSB Medical School Berlin, Calandrellistraße 1-9, 12247Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, 8032Zurich, Switzerland
| | - T Nolte
- The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - P Fonagy
- The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - M Walter
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
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14
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Ścigała DK, Zdankiewicz-Ścigała E, Bedyńska S, Kokoszka A. Psychometric Properties and Configural Invariance of the Polish - Language Version of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale in Non-clinical and Alcohol Addict Persons. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1241. [PMID: 32625145 PMCID: PMC7311651 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM The development and assessment of the psychometric properties of the Polish-language version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Bagby et al., 1994a, b) is described in this article. The aim of this study was to translate the TAS - 20 into Polish and establish the psychometric properties of this instrument evaluating alexithymia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected via self-report measures from a total sample of 676 participants: a total of 180 participants (115 males and 65 females) diagnosed with alcohol dependence, and 496 control group (347 males and 149 females). RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses found the factor structure of the original English-language TAS 20 for the three subscales translated into Polish: Difficulty in Identifying Feeling (DIF); Difficulty in Describing Feeling (DDF); Externally Oriented Thinking (EOT). All three subscales showed good internal consistency in non-clinical group and two subscales, DIF and DDF in alcohol addict group. Several EOT items loaded poorly on their intended factor. CONCLUSION The results from the present study indicate that the Polish version of the TAS - 20 is a reliable and valid measure of alexithymia with good levels of internal consistency, homogeneity, and construct validity. We conclude that the TAS-20 has, for the most part, adequate psychometric properties, though interpretation should focus only on the total scale score and DIF and DDF subscales, especially in clinical groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylwia Bedyńska
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kokoszka
- II Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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15
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Starita F, Pietrelli M, Bertini C, di Pellegrino G. Aberrant reward prediction error during Pavlovian appetitive learning in alexithymia. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 14:1119-1129. [PMID: 31820808 PMCID: PMC6970149 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive literature shows that alexithymia, a subclinical trait defined by difficulties in identifying and describing feelings, is characterized by multifaceted impairments in processing emotional stimuli. Nevertheless, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we hypothesize that alexithymia may be characterized by an alteration in learning the emotional value of encountered stimuli and test this by assessing differences between individuals with low (LA) and high (HA) levels of alexithymia in the computation of reward prediction errors (RPEs) during Pavlovian appetitive conditioning. As a marker of RPE, the amplitude of the feedback-related negativity (FRN) event-related potential was assessed while participants were presented with two conditioned stimuli (CS) associated with expected or unexpected feedback, indicating delivery of reward or no-reward. No-reward (vs reward) feedback elicited the FRN both in LA and HA. However, unexpected (vs expected) feedback enhanced the FRN in LA but not in HA, indicating impaired computation of RPE in HA. Thus, although HA show preserved sensitivity to rewards, they cannot use this response to update the value of CS that predict them. This impairment may hinder the construction of internal representations of emotional stimuli, leaving individuals with alexithymia unable to effectively recognize, respond and regulate their response to emotional stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- Department of Psychology, Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna (BO), Italy
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16
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Mallorquí-Bagué N, Lozano-Madrid M, Testa G, Vintró-Alcaraz C, Sánchez I, Riesco N, César Perales J, Francisco Navas J, Martínez-Zalacaín I, Megías A, Granero R, Veciana De Las Heras M, Chami R, Jiménez-Murcia S, Fernández-Formoso JA, Treasure J, Fernández-Aranda F. Clinical and Neurophysiological Correlates of Emotion and Food Craving Regulation in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9040960. [PMID: 32244331 PMCID: PMC7230937 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9040960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Difficulties in emotion regulation and craving regulation have been linked to eating symptomatology in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), contributing to the maintenance of their eating disorder. Methods: To investigate clinical and electrophysiological correlates of these processes, 20 patients with AN and 20 healthy controls (HC) completed a computerized task during EEG recording, where they were instructed to down-regulate negative emotions or food craving. Participants also completed self-report measures of emotional regulation and food addiction. The P300 and Late Positive Potential (LPP) ERPs were analysed. Results: LPP amplitudes were significantly smaller during down-regulation of food craving among both groups. Independent of task condition, individuals with AN showed smaller P300 amplitudes compared to HC. Among HC, the self-reported use of re-appraisal strategies positively correlated with LPP amplitudes during emotional regulation task, while suppressive strategies negatively correlated with LPP amplitudes. The AN group, in comparison to the HC group, exhibited greater food addiction, greater use of maladaptive strategies, and emotional dysregulation. Conclusions: Despite the enhanced self-reported psychopathology among AN, both groups indicated neurophysiological evidence of food craving regulation as evidenced by blunted LPP amplitudes in the relevant task condition. Further research is required to delineate the mechanisms associated with reduced overall P300 amplitudes among individuals with AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Mallorquí-Bagué
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
- Addictive Behavior Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (N.M.-B.); (F.F.-A.)
| | - María Lozano-Madrid
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
| | - Giulia Testa
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
| | - Cristina Vintró-Alcaraz
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
| | - Isabel Sánchez
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
| | - Nadine Riesco
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
| | - José César Perales
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Centre, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Juan Francisco Navas
- Department of Basic Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Martínez-Zalacaín
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
- Clinical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Megías
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Centre, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Roser Granero
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Rayane Chami
- Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; (R.C.); (J.T.)
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
- Clinical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Antonio Fernández-Formoso
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
| | - Janet Treasure
- Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; (R.C.); (J.T.)
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (M.L.-M.); (G.T.); (C.V.-A.); (I.S.); (N.R.); (I.M.-Z.); (S.J.-M.)
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.); (J.A.F.-F.)
- Clinical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (N.M.-B.); (F.F.-A.)
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Kim N, Park I, Lee YJ, Jeon S, Kim S, Lee KH, Park J, Kim HK, Gwaq AR, Jun JY, Yoo SY, Lee SH, Kim SJ. Alexithymia and frontal-amygdala functional connectivity in North Korean refugees. Psychol Med 2020; 50:334-341. [PMID: 30744720 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719000175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugees commonly experience difficulties with emotional processing, such as alexithymia, due to stressful or traumatic experiences. However, the functional connectivity of the amygdala, which is central to emotional processing, has yet to be assessed in refugees. Thus, the present study investigated the resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala and its association with emotional processing in North Korean (NK) refugees. METHODS This study included 45 NK refugees and 40 native South Koreans (SK). All participants were administered the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Clinician-administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and differences between NK refugees and native SK in terms of resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala were assessed. Additionally, the association between the strength of amygdala connectivity and the TAS score was examined. RESULTS Resting-state connectivity values from the left amygdala to the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) were higher in NK refugees than in native SK. Additionally, the strength of connectivity between the left amygdala and right dlPFC was positively associated with TAS score after controlling for the number of traumatic experiences and BDI and CAPS scores. CONCLUSIONS The present study found that NK refugees exhibited heightened frontal-amygdala connectivity, and that this connectivity was correlated with alexithymia. The present results suggest that increased frontal-amygdala connectivity in refugees may represent frontal down-regulation of the amygdala, which in turn may produce alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nambeom Kim
- Neuroresearch Institute, Gachon University, Republic of Korea
| | - Inkyung Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyun Jeon
- Department of Psychiatry, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soohyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hwa Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhyun Park
- Department of Psychology , University at Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Hang-Keun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah Reum Gwaq
- Korea Psychological Autopsy Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Yong Jun
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Yoo
- Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hee Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seog Ju Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Zucchelli MM, Starita F, Bertini C, Giusberti F, Ciaramelli E. Intentionality attribution and emotion: The Knobe Effect in alexithymia. Cognition 2019; 191:103978. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Zucchelli MM, Ugazio G. Cognitive-Emotional and Inhibitory Deficits as a Window to Moral Decision-Making Difficulties Related to Exposure to Violence. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1427. [PMID: 31379636 PMCID: PMC6650541 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present review, we illustrate how exposure to violence results in an increased probability of developing functional impairments of decision mechanisms necessary for moral behavior. We focus in particular on the detrimental effects of exposure to violence on emotional (e.g., Empathy), cognitive (e.g., Theory of Mind), and inhibitory control abilities. Relying on studies that document impaired moral behavior in individuals with deficits in these abilities, we propose a "model" of how exposure to violence can affect moral behavior. We then discuss how impaired moral decision making can also be a factor increasing the likelihood of reiterating violence: agents who lack abilities such as understanding and resonating with others' emotions or inhibitory control, can lead to an increase of violent displays. Thus, if not properly addressed, the noxious effects of exposure to violence on morality can lead to a violence generating cycle. We conclude proposing that interventions targeted at improving moral behavior can maximize their efficacy focusing on mitigating the impact of violence on the basic cognitive, emotional, and inhibitory abilities discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Ugazio
- Moral Psychology Research Lab, Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Geneva Finance Research Institute, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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20
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Starita F, di Pellegrino G. Alexithymia and the Reduced Ability to Represent the Value of Aversively Motivated Actions. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2587. [PMID: 30631295 PMCID: PMC6315179 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is a subclinical trait defined by difficulties in identifying and describing feelings and a cognitive style avoidant of introspection. Extensive literature shows that alexithymia is characterized by multifaceted impairments in processing emotional stimuli. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that may account for such impairments remain elusive. Here, we hypothesize that alexithymia may be understood as impairment in learning the emotional value of one’s own actions and test this comparing performance of participants with high (HA) and low (LA) levels of alexithymia on a probabilistic selection task. Results show that, compared to LA, HA need more time to learn the value of individual stimuli and associated actions as difference in reinforcement rate between stimuli decreases. In addition, HA appear less able to generalize the value of previously learned actions that lead to a negative outcome, to make adaptive choices in a new context, requiring more time to avoid the most negative stimulus between two negative stimuli. Together, the results indicate that individuals with alexithymia show impaired learning of the value of aversively motivated actions. We argue that this impairment may hinder the construction of internal representations of emotional stimuli and actions and represent a mechanism that may account for the difficulties of alexithymia in processing emotional stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Starita
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
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21
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Fang Y, Li M, Mei M, Sun X, Han D. Characteristics of brain functional and structural connectivity in alexithymic students. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2018; 14:2609-2615. [PMID: 30349259 PMCID: PMC6186308 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s174015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is a multifaceted personality trait and a risk factor for several mental and physical diseases. METHODS In this study, 21 alexithymic students and 21 nonalexithymic students were recruited from the local university and assigned to the alexithymic group and the control group, respectively. Then, the functional connectivity and the structural connectivity among the brain regions of the students were investigated using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI), function connection (FC) analysis, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). RESULTS The rsfMRI results revealed 14 brain regions showing significant differences in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations between the two groups. Comparative analysis of the FC and DTI data in these brain regions between the two groups identified altered levels of functional and structural connectivity between the following four pairs of regions in the alexithymic subjects: the right inferior temporal gyrus and the central posterior gyrus, the left temporal gyrus and the insula, and the bilateral superior frontal gyrus and the anterior cingulate gyrus. CONCLUSION Compared with single MRI analysis, the multiple MRI analysis identified more precisely the brain regions that could play a key role in the development of alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yantong Fang
- Children and Adolescents Mental Health Joint Clinic, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China,
| | - Mei Li
- Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Minjun Mei
- Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Sun
- Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Dai Han
- Children and Adolescents Mental Health Joint Clinic, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China, .,Institutes of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China, .,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China,
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Fischer D, Messner M, Pollatos O. Improvement of Interoceptive Processes after an 8-Week Body Scan Intervention. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:452. [PMID: 28955213 PMCID: PMC5601051 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Interoceptive processes are defined as ability to detect sensations arising within the body. There is a growing body of research investigating ways of improving interoceptive processes. One promising approach increasing the attention to bodily sensations is the body scan (BS), a method stemming from mindfulness-based stress reduction. Research so far revealed only heterogenous findings of meditational practice and mindfulness-based stress reduction on interoceptive processes. Even more importantly, there is no study considering the effect of an 8-week BS intervention on interoceptive processes and the distinguishable subdomains of interoception. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to examine the effects of a BS intervention on different interoceptive subdomains over 8 weeks of training in two different samples. Methods: In study 1, healthy participants executed a 20 min standardized audiotaped BS in the BS intervention group (n = 25) each day over 8 weeks. The control group (n = 24) listened to an audio book for the same amount of time. In study 2, the BS group (n = 18) was compared to an inactive control group (n = 18). In both studies, three measurement points were realized and interoceptive accuracy (IAc) – using a heartbeat perception task – as well as interoceptive sensibility (IS) – using confidence ratings for the heartbeat perception task and the subscale ‘interoceptive awareness’ of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) – were assessed. Results: In study 1, we found, as a descriptive trend, IAc and confidence ratings to be increased irrespective of the condition. However, post hoc analysis revealed a significant improvement of IAc between T1 and T3 in the BS intervention only. IS revealed to be unaffected by the interventions. In study 2, we observed a significant positive effect of the BS intervention on IAc and confidence ratings compared to the inactive controls. As in study 1, IS (EDI-2) was unaffected by the intervention. Discussion: The results highlight the fact that interoception can be improved by long-term interventions focusing on bodily signals. Further studies might focus on clinical samples showing deficits in interoceptive processes and could use other bodily systems for measurement (e.g., respiratory signals) as well methods manipulating body ownership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Fischer
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Matthias Messner
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Olga Pollatos
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
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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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Hou J, Song B, Chen ACN, Sun C, Zhou J, Zhu H, Beauchaine TP. Review on Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation and Music: Implications for Emotion Dysregulation. Front Psychol 2017; 8:501. [PMID: 28421017 PMCID: PMC5376620 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have examined the neural correlates of emotion regulation and the neural changes that are evoked by music exposure. However, the link between music and emotion regulation is poorly understood. The objectives of this review are to (1) synthesize what is known about the neural correlates of emotion regulation and music-evoked emotions, and (2) consider the possibility of therapeutic effects of music on emotion dysregulation. Music-evoked emotions can modulate activities in both cortical and subcortical systems, and across cortical-subcortical networks. Functions within these networks are integral to generation and regulation of emotions. Since dysfunction in these networks are observed in numerous psychiatric disorders, a better understanding of neural correlates of music exposure may lead to more systematic and effective use of music therapy in emotion dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiancheng Hou
- Center for Educational Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal UniversityShanghai, China.,Department of Radiology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
| | - Bei Song
- Center for Educational Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal UniversityShanghai, China.,Music Conservatory of HarbinHarbin, China
| | - Andrew C N Chen
- Center for Higher Brain Functions and Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Changan Sun
- School of Education and Public Administration, Suzhou University of Science and TechnologySuzhou, China
| | - Jiaxian Zhou
- Center for Educational Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Haidong Zhu
- Department of Psychology, Shihezi UniversityShihezi, China
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Starita F, Làdavas E, di Pellegrino G. Reduced anticipation of negative emotional events in alexithymia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27664. [PMID: 27278856 PMCID: PMC4899736 DOI: 10.1038/srep27664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in different domains of emotion processing, especially in relation to negative emotions. Nevertheless, its causal mechanisms remain elusive. Reduced anticipation of negative emotional events might be one such mechanism because it enables the individual to prepare to respond effectively to coming events. To test this, changes in skin conductance response (SCR) were recorded during classical fear conditioning in sixty participants with high (HA), medium (MA) and low (LA) levels of alexithymia. Two coloured squares were presented, one was reinforced with a mild electrical stimulation (CS+) while the other was never reinforced (CS−). Critically, despite all groups showing higher SCR to CS+ compared to CS−, SCR to CS+ was lower and extinguished earlier in HA compared to MA and LA. These differences appeared to be attributable neither to differences in the intensity of stimulation received, nor to SCR to the stimulation itself. Groups showed comparable SCR to CS− as well. Therefore, HA exhibited decreased anticipation of the occurrence of a negative emotional event. Disruption of this mechanism may then compromise effective emotion recognition, emotional response and response regulation, which characterise HA, and represent a unifying causal mechanism underlying the difficulties in emotion processing of this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Starita
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy.,CSRNC, Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Làdavas
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy.,CSRNC, Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy.,CSRNC, Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Italy
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Fischer D, Berberich G, Zaudig M, Krauseneck T, Weiss S, Pollatos O. Interoceptive Processes in Anorexia Nervosa in the Time Course of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Pilot Study. Front Psychiatry 2016; 7:199. [PMID: 28018249 PMCID: PMC5156660 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies report reduced interoceptive abilities in anorexia nervosa (AN) using various methods. Recent research suggests that different levels of interoceptive processes aiming at different subdomains of interoceptive abilities must be further distinguished as these levels can be differentially affected. Two important levels refer to interoceptive accuracy (IA) derived from objective performance tasks such as the heartbeat detection task and interoceptive sensibility (IS) as assessed by self-report. There is a lack of studies investigating both IA and IS in AN and examining them in the time course of therapy. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the different interoceptive processes - especially IA and IS - in the time course of therapy. METHODS Fifteen patients with AN (restricting type) from the Psychosomatic Clinic in Windach were investigated three times (T1, T2, T3) during a standardized cognitive-behavioral therapy and compared with 15 matched healthy controls assessed at Ulm University in a comparable design. All participants performed the heartbeat detection task examining IA and completed standard psychological assessments including an assessment of IS. RESULTS Patients with AN showed a significantly decreased weight, higher levels of depression, and both reduced IA and IS compared to healthy controls at T1. Following therapy, patients recovered in terms of weight and depression symptomatology. A descriptive trend for recovering from IA and IS was observed. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that interoceptive deficits are present in recovered patients. Therefore, further investigations are needed with more patients, differentiating between relapsed and recovered patients, and more specific training methods to improve interoceptive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Fischer
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University , Ulm , Germany
| | | | | | - Till Krauseneck
- Klinikum Windach a. Ammersee, Windach, Germany; kbo-Isar-Amper-Klinikum, Munich-Haar, Germany
| | - Sarah Weiss
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany; AMC - Wolfart Klinik, Zentrum für Adipositas- und Metabolische Chirurgie, Munich-Gräfelfing, Germany
| | - Olga Pollatos
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University , Ulm , Germany
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Pollatos O, Matthias E, Keller J. When interoception helps to overcome negative feelings caused by social exclusion. Front Psychol 2015; 6:786. [PMID: 26124734 PMCID: PMC4467065 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Social exclusion affects mental and physical health. The ability to regulate emotional responses to social exclusion is therefore essential for our well-being. As individual differences in detecting bodily signals (interoceptive sensitivity, IS) have been associated with the ability of emotion regulation, we aimed at exploring whether IS fosters coping with social exclusion and flexibility in emotion regulation. The first study investigated subjective feelings and behavioral affiliation tendencies in response to ostracism using a cyberball paradigm. Sixty-nine participants were assessed who differed with respect to IS. The second study examined habitual emotion regulation processes focusing on suppression and reappraisal as well as IS in 116 participants. Main results were that the effect of ostracism on distress and behavioral affiliation tendencies were qualified by IS—being ostracized had less impact on participants with stronger IS. Furthermore, Study 2 revealed that IS was associated with habitually stronger emotion regulation strategies. We conclude that having access to bodily signals helps (IS) reducing aversive states provoked by social exclusion, probably due to the fact that IS is associated with emotion regulation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Pollatos
- Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm , Ulm, Germany
| | - Ellen Matthias
- Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm , Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Keller
- Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm , Ulm, Germany
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Wolz I, Fagundo AB, Treasure J, Fernández-Aranda F. The processing of food stimuli in abnormal eating: a systematic review of electrophysiology. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2015; 23:251-61. [PMID: 25982390 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
To update the knowledge about attentional processing of food stimuli, a systematic review of electrophysiological studies was conducted using PubMed, PsychInfo and Web of Knowledge (2000-2014). Twenty-one studies were included into a qualitative synthesis. Presentation of food and control pictures was used to analyze event-related potentials related to sensory processing and motivated attention. Results show consistent attentional bias towards food pictures compared with neutral pictures for patient and control groups. Group comparisons between individuals with abnormal-eating and healthy-eating participants were more inconsistent. Results suggest that temporal differences in the millisecond range are essential for the understanding of visual food processing. In obesity, early attention engagement to food is followed by relatice disengagement. Loss of control eating, as well as external and emotional eating, are associated with a sustained maintenance of attention towards high-caloric food. There is a lack of studies in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Wolz
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana B Fagundo
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Janet Treasure
- Eating Disorders Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
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van der Velde J, Gromann PM, Swart M, Wiersma D, de Haan L, Bruggeman R, Krabbendam L, Aleman A. Alexithymia influences brain activation during emotion perception but not regulation. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2014; 10:285-93. [PMID: 24760016 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsu056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is a psychological construct that can be divided into a cognitive and affective dimension. The cognitive dimension is characterized by difficulties in identifying, verbalizing and analysing feelings. The affective dimension comprises reduced levels of emotional experience and imagination. Alexithymia is widely regarded to arise from an impairment of emotion regulation. This is the first functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study to critically evaluate this by investigating the neural correlates of emotion regulation as a function of alexithymia levels. The aim of the current study was to investigate the neural correlates underlying the two alexithymia dimensions during emotion perception and emotion regulation. Using fMRI, we scanned 51 healthy subjects while viewing, reappraising or suppressing negative emotional pictures. The results support the idea that cognitive alexithymia, but not affective alexithymia, is associated with lower activation in emotional attention and recognition networks during emotion perception. However, in contrast with several theories, no alexithymia-related differences were found during emotion regulation (neither reappraisal nor suppression). These findings suggest that alexithymia may result from an early emotion processing deficit rather than compromised frontal circuits subserving higher-order emotion regulation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorien van der Velde
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paula M Gromann
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marte Swart
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Durk Wiersma
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lieuwe de Haan
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Bruggeman
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lydia Krabbendam
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - André Aleman
- Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry & Rob Giel Research Center, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
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A New Concept for Early Recovery after Surgery for Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Results of a Prospective Randomized Study. J Urol 2014; 191:335-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2013.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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van der Velde J, Servaas MN, Goerlich KS, Bruggeman R, Horton P, Costafreda SG, Aleman A. Neural correlates of alexithymia: A meta-analysis of emotion processing studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:1774-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Insula's functional connectivity with ventromedial prefrontal cortex mediates the impact of trait alexithymia on state tobacco craving. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 228:143-55. [PMID: 23455594 PMCID: PMC3873099 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3018-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulty indentifying and describing subjective emotional experiences. Decreased aptitude in the perception, evaluation, and communication of affectively laden mental states has been associated with reduced emotion regulation, more severe drug craving in addicts, and structural/functional alterations in insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The insula and ACC represent sites of convergence between the putative neural substrates of alexithymia and those perpetuating cigarette smoking. OBJECTIVES We examined the interrelations between alexithymia, tobacco craving, and insula/ACC neurocircuitry using resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). METHODS Overnight-deprived smokers (n = 24) and nonsmokers (n = 20) completed six neuroimaging assessments on different days both in the absence of, and following, varenicline and/or nicotine administration. In this secondary analysis of data from a larger study, we assessed trait alexithymia and state tobacco craving using self-reports and examined the rsFC of bilateral insular subregions (anterior, middle, posterior) and dorsal ACC. RESULTS Higher alexithymia in smokers predicted reduced rsFC strength between the right anterior insula (aI) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Higher alexithymia also predicted more severe tobacco craving during nicotine withdrawal. Critically, the identified aI-vmPFC circuit fully mediated this alexithymia-craving relation. That is, elevated alexithymia predicted decreased aI-vmPFC rsFC and, in turn, decreased aI-vmPFC rsFC predicted increased craving during withdrawal. A moderated mediation analysis indicated that this aI-vmPFC mediational effect was not observed following drug administration. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a weakened right aI-vmPFC functional circuit confers increased liability for tobacco craving during smoking abstinence. Individual differences in alexithymia and/or aI-vmPFC functional coupling may be relevant factors for smoking cessation success.
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Goerlich KS, Aleman A, Martens S. The sound of feelings: electrophysiological responses to emotional speech in alexithymia. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36951. [PMID: 22615853 PMCID: PMC3352858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in the cognitive processing of emotions (cognitive dimension) and in the experience of emotions (affective dimension). Previous research focused mainly on visual emotional processing in the cognitive alexithymia dimension. We investigated the impact of both alexithymia dimensions on electrophysiological responses to emotional speech in 60 female subjects. METHODOLOGY During unattended processing, subjects watched a movie while an emotional prosody oddball paradigm was presented in the background. During attended processing, subjects detected deviants in emotional prosody. The cognitive alexithymia dimension was associated with a left-hemisphere bias during early stages of unattended emotional speech processing, and with generally reduced amplitudes of the late P3 component during attended processing. In contrast, the affective dimension did not modulate unattended emotional prosody perception, but was associated with reduced P3 amplitudes during attended processing particularly to emotional prosody spoken in high intensity. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide evidence for a dissociable impact of the two alexithymia dimensions on electrophysiological responses during the attended and unattended processing of emotional prosody. The observed electrophysiological modulations are indicative of a reduced sensitivity to the emotional qualities of speech, which may be a contributing factor to problems in interpersonal communication associated with alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Sophia Goerlich
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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