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Lissek S, Schlaffke L, Tegenthoff M. Microstructural properties of attention-related white matter tracts are associated with the renewal effect of extinction. Behav Brain Res 2024; 471:115125. [PMID: 38936425 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115125] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The tendency to show the renewal effect of extinction appears as an intra-individually stable, reproducible processing strategy associated with differential patterns of BOLD activation in hippocampus, iFG and vmPFC, as well as differential resting-state functional connectivity between prefrontal regions and the dorsal attention network. Also, pharmacological modulations of the noradrenergic system that influence attentional processing have partially different effects upon individuals with (REN) and without (NoREN) a propensity for renewal. However, it is as yet unknown whether REN and NoREN individuals differ regarding microstructural properties in attention-related white matter (WM) regions, and whether such differences are related to noradrenergic processing. In this diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis we investigated the relation between microstructural properties of attention-related WM tracts and ABA renewal propensity, under conditions of noradrenergic stimulation by means of the noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine, compared to placebo. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was higher in participants with noradrenergic stimulation (ATO) compared to placebo (PLAC), the effect was predominantly left-lateralized and based on the comparison of ATO REN and PLAC REN participants. In REN participants of both treatment groups, FA in several WM tracts showed a positive correlation with the ABA renewal level, suggesting higher renewal levels were associated with higher microstructural integrity. These findings point towards a relation between microstructural properties of attention-related WM tracts and the propensity for renewal that is not specifically dependent on noradrenergic processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Lara Schlaffke
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
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Ma Y, Jiao F, Batsikadze G, Yavari F, Nitsche MA. The impact of the left inferior frontal gyrus on fear extinction: A transcranial direct current stimulation study. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:816-825. [PMID: 38997105 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.07.004] [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: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fear extinction is a fundamental component of exposure-based therapies for anxiety-related disorders. The renewal of fear in a different context after extinction highlights the importance of contextual factors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the causal role of the left inferior frontal gyrus (LiFG) in the context-dependency of fear extinction learning via administration of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over this area. METHODS 180 healthy subjects were assigned to 9 groups: 3 tDCS conditions (anodal, cathodal, and sham) × 3 context combinations (AAA, ABA, and ABB). The fear conditioning/extinction task was conducted over three consecutive days: acquisition, extinction learning, and extinction recall. tDCS (2 mA, 10min) was administered during the extinction learning phase over the LiFG via a 4-electrode montage. Skin conductance response (SCR) data and self-report assessments were collected. RESULTS During the extinction learning phase, groups with excitability-enhancing anodal tDCS showed a significantly higher fear response to the threat cues compared to cathodal and sham stimulation conditions, irrespective of contextual factors. This effect was stable until the extinction recall phase. Additionally, excitability-reducing cathodal tDCS caused a significant decrease of the response difference between the threat and safety cues during the extinction recall phase. The self-report assessments showed no significant differences between the conditions throughout the experiment. CONCLUSION Independent of the context, excitability enhancement of the LiFG did impair fear extinction, and led to preservation of fear memory. In contrast, excitability reduction of this area enhanced fear extinction retention. These findings imply that the LiFG plays a role in the fear extinction network, which seems to be however context-independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbo Ma
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Fujia Jiao
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Giorgi Batsikadze
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Yavari
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; Bielefeld University, University Hospital OWL, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Bochum, Germany.
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Nostadt A, Schlaffke L, Merz CJ, Wolf OT, Nitsche MA, Tegenthoff M, Lissek S. Microstructural differences in the cingulum and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus are associated with (extinction) learning. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:324. [PMID: 38831468 PMCID: PMC11149371 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01800-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive functions, such as learning and memory processes, depend on effective communication between brain regions which is facilitated by white matter tracts (WMT). We investigated the microstructural properties and the contribution of WMT to extinction learning and memory in a predictive learning task. Forty-two healthy participants completed an extinction learning paradigm without a fear component. We examined differences in microstructural properties using diffusion tensor imaging to identify underlying neural connectivity and structural correlates of extinction learning and their potential implications for the renewal effect. Participants with good acquisition performance exhibited higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in WMT including the bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and the right temporal part of the cingulum (CNG). This indicates enhanced connectivity and communication between brain regions relevant to learning and memory resulting in better learning performance. Our results suggest that successful acquisition and extinction performance were linked to enhanced structural connectivity. Lower radial diffusivity (RD) in the right ILF and right temporal part of the CNG was observed for participants with good acquisition learning performance. This observation suggests that learning difficulties associated with increased RD may potentially be due to less myelinated axons in relevant WMT. Also, participants with good acquisition performance were more likely to show a renewal effect. The results point towards a potential role of structural integrity in extinction-relevant WMT for acquisition and extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Nostadt
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 44789, Germany.
- Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Lara Schlaffke
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 44789, Germany
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 44801, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 44801, Germany
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Dortmund, 44139, Germany
- German Centre for Mental Health (DZPG), Bochum, Germany
- University Hospital OWL, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, 33617, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 44789, Germany
| | - Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 44789, Germany
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Lissek S, Tegenthoff M. Dissimilarities of neural representations of extinction trials are associated with extinction learning performance and renewal level. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1307825. [PMID: 38468709 PMCID: PMC10925752 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1307825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Renewal of extinguished responses is associated with higher activity in specific extinction-relevant brain regions, i.e., hippocampus (HC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and ventromedial PFC (vmPFC). HC is involved in processing of context information, while IFG and vmPFC use such context information for selecting and deciding among competing response options. However, it is as yet unknown to what extent trials with changed versus unchanged outcome, or extinction trials that evoke renewal (i.e., extinction context differs from acquisition and test context: ABA trials) and trials that do not (i.e., same context in all phases: AAA trials) are represented differentially in extinction-relevant brain regions. Methods In this study, we applied representational similarity analysis (RSA) to determine differences in neural representations of these trial types and their relationship to extinction error rates and renewal level. Results Overall, individuals with renewal (REN) and those without (NoREN) did not differ significantly in their discrimination levels between ABA and AAA extinction trials, with the exception of right posterior HC, where REN exhibited more pronounced context-related discrimination. In addition, higher dissimilarity of representations in bilateral posterior HC, as well as in several IFG regions, during extinction learning was linked to lower ABA renewal rates. Both REN and NoREN benefitted from prediction error feedback from ABA extinction errors for context- and outcome-related discrimination of trials in IFG, vmPFC, and HC, but only the NoREN group also benefitted from error feedback from AAA extinction errors. Discussion Thus, while in both groups the presence of a novel context supported formation of distinct representations, only in NoREN the expectancy violation of the surprising change of outcome alone had a similar effect. In addition, only in NoREN context-related discrimination was linked to error feedback in vmPFC. In summary, the findings show that context- and outcome-related discrimination of trials in HC, vmPFC, and IFG is linked to extinction learning errors, regardless of renewal propensity, and at the same time point towards differential context processing strategies in REN and NoREN. Moreover, better discrimination of context-related trials during extinction learning promotes less renewal during extinction recall, suggesting that renewal may be related to suboptimal context-related trial discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Nostadt A, Nitsche MA, Tegenthoff M, Lissek S. Dopaminergic D2-like receptor stimulation affects attention on contextual information and modulates BOLD activation of extinction-related brain areas. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21003. [PMID: 38017050 PMCID: PMC10684513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47704-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Contextual information is essential for learning and memory processes and plays a crucial role during the recall of extinction memory, and in the renewal effect, which is the context-dependent recovery of an extinguished response. The dopaminergic system is known to be involved in regulating attentional processes by shifting attention to novel and salient contextual cues. Higher dopamine levels are associated with a better recall of previously learned stimulus-outcome associations and enhanced encoding, as well as retrieval of contextual information which promotes renewal. In this fMRI study, we aimed to investigate the impact of processing contextual information and the influence of dopaminergic D2-like receptor activation on attention to contextual information during a predictive learning task as well as upon extinction learning, memory performance, and activity of extinction-related brain areas. A single oral dose of 1.25 mg bromocriptine or an identical-looking placebo was administered to the participants. We modified a predictive learning task that in previous studies reliably evoked a renewal effect, by increasing the complexity of contextual information. We analysed fixations and dwell on contextual cues by use of eye-tracking and correlated these with behavioural performance and BOLD activation of extinction-related brain areas. Our results indicate that the group with dopaminergic D2-like receptor stimulation had higher attention to task-relevant contextual information and greater/lower BOLD activation of brain regions associated with cognitive control during extinction learning and recall. Moreover, renewal responses were almost completely absent. Since this behavioural effect was observed for both treatment groups, we assume that this was due to the complexity of the altered task design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Nostadt
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Faculty of Psychology, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle de La Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Faculty of Psychology, 44789, Bochum, Germany
- German Centre for Mental Health (DZPG), 44789, Bochum, Germany
- University Hospital OWL, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, 33617, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle de La Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle de La Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
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Lissek S, Klass A, Tegenthoff M. NMDA receptor-mediated processing in inferior frontal gyrus facilitates acquisition and extinction learning and strengthens renewal. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2022; 194:107672. [PMID: 35917993 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2022.107672] [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: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
While the renewal effect of extinction is considered to be invoked by attention to context during the extinction phase, there is also evidence that processing during initial learning (acquisition) may be important for later renewal. A noradrenergic agonist and a dopaminergic antagonist, administered before acquisition, did not affect renewal, however, the effects of NMDAergic neurotransmission in this regard are as yet unknown. In a previous study, administration of a single dose of the NMDA agonist D-cycloserine (DCS) before extinction learning facilitated extinction in the context of acquisition (AAA), but had no effect upon renewal. In the present fMRI study, DCS was administered prior to the initial acquisition of a predictive learning task, in order to investigate whether NMDA receptor (NMDAR) stimulation at this timepoint will modulate overall learning as well as the level of renewal, while increasing activation in the extinction- and renewal-relevant brain regions of inferior frontal gyrus (iFG) and hippocampus (HC). DCS facilitated acquisition, as well as extinction learning in the context of acquisition (AAA), and raised the level of ABA renewal. While BOLD activation during acquisition did not differ between treatment groups, activation in bilateral iFG showed a double dissociation during processing of AAA extinction trials, with DCS-mediated higher activation in right iFG and deactivation in left iFG. In contrast, placebo showed higher activation in left iFG and deactivation in right iFG. During the test (recall) phase, left iFG and right anterior hippocampus activation was increased in DCS participants who showed renewal, with activation in this region correlating with the ABA renewal level. The results demonstrate that NMDA receptor stimulation can facilitate both initial learning and extinction of associations, and in this way has an impact upon the resultant level of renewal. In particular NMDAergic processing in iFG appears relevant for the facilitation of AAA extinction and ABA recall in the test phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Anne Klass
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
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D'Agostini M, Burger AM, Franssen M, Claes N, Weymar M, von Leupoldt A, Van Diest I. Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on reversal learning, tonic pupil size, salivary alpha-amylase, and cortisol. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13885. [PMID: 34245461 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) enhances reversal learning and augments noradrenergic biomarkers (i.e., pupil size, cortisol, and salivary alpha-amylase [sAA]). We also explored the effect of taVNS on respiratory rate and cardiac vagal activity (CVA). Seventy-one participants received stimulation of either the cymba concha (taVNS) or the earlobe (sham) of the left ear. After learning a series of cue-outcome associations, the stimulation was applied before and throughout a reversal phase in which cue-outcome associations were changed for some (reversal), but not for other (distractor) cues. Tonic pupil size, salivary cortisol, sAA, respiratory rate, and CVA were assessed at different time points. Contrary to our hypothesis, taVNS was not associated with an overall improvement in performance on the reversal task. Compared to sham, the taVNS group performed worse for distractor than reversal cues. taVNS did not increase tonic pupil size and sAA. Only post hoc analyses indicated that the cortisol decline was steeper in the sham compared to the taVNS group. Exploratory analyses showed that taVNS decreased respiratory rate but did not affect CVA. The weak and unexpected effects found in this study might relate to the lack of parameters optimization for taVNS and invite to further investigate the effect of taVNS on cortisol and respiratory rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas M Burger
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Nathalie Claes
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Ilse Van Diest
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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The DA-antagonist Tiapride affects context-related extinction learning in a predictive learning task, but not initial forming of associations, or renewal. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 183:107465. [PMID: 34015443 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Renewal describes the recovery of an extinguished response if the contexts of extinction and recall differ, highlighting the context dependency of extinction. Studies demonstrated dopaminergic (DA) signalling to be important for context-related extinction learning with and without a fear component. In a previous study in humans, administration of the dopamine D2/D3 antagonist tiapride prior to extinction impaired extinction learning in a novel, but not a familiar context, without affecting renewal. In a further study, context processing during initial acquisition of associations was shown to be related to renewal. In this human fMRI study we investigated the potential role of DA signalling during this initial conditioning for the learning process and for renewal. While tiapride, administered prior to the start of learning, did not affect initial acquisition and renewal, extinction learning in a novel context was impaired, associated with reduced BOLD activation in vmPFC, left iFG and ACC - regions mediating response inhibition and selection from competing options using contextual information. Thus, different timepoints of administration of tiapride (before initial conditioning or extinction) had largely similar effects upon extinction and renewal. In addition, retrieval of previously acquired associations was impaired, pointing towards weaker association forming during acquisition. Conceivably, effects of the DA blockade are associated with the challenge present in the respective task rather than the administration timepoint: the cognitive flexibility required for forming a new inhibitory association that includes a novel element clearly requires DA processing, while initial forming of associations, or of inhibitory associations without a new element, apparently rely less on the proper function of the DA system.
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Lissek S, Klass A, Tegenthoff M. Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus Participates in Mediating the Renewal Effect Irrespective of Context Salience. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:43. [PMID: 32292332 PMCID: PMC7118360 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00043] [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: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The renewal effect of extinction demonstrates the context-dependency of extinction learning. It is defined as the recovery of an extinguished response occurring when the contexts of extinction and recall differ. Behavioral studies showed that modulating context relevance can strengthen context-specific responses. In our fMRI study, we investigated to what extent a modulation of context salience can alter renewal levels and provide additional information about the neural basis for renewal. In a within-subjects design, participants completed two sessions of an associative learning task in randomized order. In the salient condition (SAL), a context was presented alone at the start of each trial, before being presented together with the stimulus. The regular condition (REG) contained no context-alone phase. In about one-third of participants (SWITCH), the context salience modulation significantly increased renewal rates in the SAL compared to the REG condition. The other participants showed either renewal (REN) or no renewal (NoREN) in both conditions. The modulation did not significantly affect learning performance during the initial forming of associations or extinction learning. In the SWITCH group, activation in left opercular inferior frontal gyrus (iFG) during the recall phase was associated with a renewal effect, together with activity in the bilateral posterior hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Also during the extinction phase, left opercular iFG activation was higher in groups exhibiting renewal in recall, irrespective of the context salience modulation. Besides confirming the participation of vmPFC in extinction recall, our findings provide novel insights regarding an as yet undetected, potentially important role for renewal-supporting processes in left iFG during extinction learning and recall, which are presumably based on the region's proposed function of evaluating competing response options under conditions of ambiguity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Reduced hippocampal recruitment during response conflict resolution in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuroimage 2020; 213:116723. [PMID: 32173408 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that the human hippocampus (HC) is not only involved in the processing of motivationally relevant approach-avoidance conflicts but is also engaged in the resolution of more general response conflicts as measured in the Stroop paradigm. Here we investigated whether neural activity in the HC is necessary for successful response conflict resolution. We compared hippocampal recruitment during an auditory Stroop paradigm in 20 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) due to hippocampal sclerosis and 20 age-matched healthy controls using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We analyzed hippocampal activation and behavioral performance in conflict trials relative to non-conflict trials. Moreover, functional connectivity (FC) analyses with left and right HCs as seeds were performed. Subjects' regional gray matter volumes were analyzed based on high-resolution T2-weighted MRI scans. The current study replicated previous results showing increased activation in left HC during the processing of conflict trials in healthy subjects. By contrast, MTLE patients showed higher behavioral costs of response conflict resolution and reduced conflict-related HC activation. In patients with left MTLE, left HC activation was predictive of faster conflict-related response times (RTs). By contrast, right HC activation was related to RT slowing, suggestive of a maladaptive compensation attempt in MTLE patients. Our results provide evidence that left hippocampal activation is required for the successful resolution of response conflicts.
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