Disturbances in emotion processing and regulation are a hallmark characteristic of schizophrenia, and have been shown to be present in at-risk populations. We investigated behavioral and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) differences during emotion processing and reappraisal of negative images in people at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis compared to healthy controls (HC).
We hypothesized that during emotion processing UHR participants will show increased activation of the ventral stream compared to HC. During reappraisal UHR were expected to show less activation of the dorsal stream compared to HC. Twelve UHR and eleven HC participated in this fMRI study in which they performed an Emotion Regulation Task. In addition, participants were asked to complete several relevant questionnaires.
Brain activation during processing of negative versus neutral images did not yield significant differences between the UHR and HC, but showed a trend for increased activation in UHR participants: HC showed activation in the middle and inferior temporal gyrus, whereas the UHR group showed activation in the bilateral DLPPFC, and bilateral frontopolar cortex, the superior and inferior occipital gyrus, the cingulate gyrus, the insula and the basal ganglia. During reappraisal differences in brain activation supported our hypothesis: the UHR group showed decreased prefrontal and temporal lobe activation compared to HC.
Results from the behavioral data showed that both groups were able to successfully down-regulate negative emotion. We concluded that the at-risk group showed abnormal brain activity during reappraisal that was in line with expectations, however the outcome of the behavioral results remains puzzling, and should be subjected to further study.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Emotion Processing
Emotion Regulation
Brain-Imaging Studies
Studying At-Risk Groups
Materials and Methods
Participants
Questionnaires
Diagnostic and clinical characteristics
Emotion Regulation Questionnaire
Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire
Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale
Emotion Regulation Task
Procedure
Data Acquisition
Statistical Analyses
Demographic Data and Behavioral Analysis
FMRI Analyses
Results
Demographic Data
Questionnaire Data
Emotion Regulation Questionnaire
Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire
Positive Affect Negative Affect Scales
Behavioral Data
Imaging Results
Emotional Processing
Emotion Regulation
Correlations between the BVAQ and Imaging Data
Correlations between the PANAS and Imaging Data
Discussion
Emotion Processing
Reappraisal
Questionnaire Data
Practical Implications
Limitations
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary aim of this study is to investigate potential differences in brain activation during emotional processing and emotion regulation (specifically reappraisal of negative images) in individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis compared to healthy control (HC) subjects.
- Comparison of neural activation patterns in UHR individuals versus healthy controls during emotion regulation tasks.
- Evaluation of the efficacy of reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy in UHR populations.
- Exploration of the relationship between self-reported alexithymia and brain activity during emotional tasks.
- Assessment of the ventral and dorsal pathway models in the context of at-risk mental states.
Excerpt from the Book
Emotion Regulation
Emotion regulation is defined as a conscious or unconscious process that attempts to modify the emotional experience and the subsequent expression of it (Gross, 1998). Gross (1998) has distinguished two types of emotion regulation strategies: antecedent-focused and response-focused strategies. Antecedent-focused strategies are applied early, i.e. before an emotional response has been generated. On the other hand, response-focused strategies are exerted at a later stage, after the emotional response has been produced (Gross, 1998). Reappraisal is an antecedent strategy that has deserved much attention in research because it is used in everyday life, and is applicable to research because it can be manipulated and assessed in several ways (John & Gross, 2004).
Reappraisal is a relatively cost-efficient way of dealing with emotion for it requires few resources, so that more resources are available to deal with social interaction appropriately (Gross, 2002). Suppression on the other hand, requires more resources without reducing the negativity of the emotion. Thus, the quality of interaction suffers resulting from the discrepancy of the true feelings one has and the feelings one shows (John & Gross, 2004). Indeed, some of the benefits of using reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy have been shown to be related to higher levels of personal growth, self-acceptance, a clearer purpose in life and better relationships with other people (Gross, 2002; John & Gross, 2004).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the severity of schizophrenia, the importance of identifying high-risk individuals, and existing theories on emotion processing and regulation.
Materials and Methods: Details the recruitment of participants, the specific questionnaires used, the design of the fMRI emotion regulation task, and the statistical analysis procedures.
Results: Presents the demographic and questionnaire data, along with findings from the fMRI imaging analysis regarding brain activity during emotion regulation.
Discussion: Interprets the findings concerning UHR brain activity, compares them with previous literature, addresses limitations, and discusses practical implications for early intervention.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that while behavioral outcomes appear similar, distinct neural activation differences exist in the UHR population during emotion regulation.
Keywords
Schizophrenia, at-risk, ultra-high risk, psychosis, emotion processing, reappraisal, fMRI, neural activation, prefrontal cortex, alexithymia, cognitive control, emotion regulation, mental health, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, psychopathology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this scientific work?
The paper investigates neural activation differences in people at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis compared to healthy individuals during tasks involving emotion processing and regulation.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The themes include the neurobiology of emotion regulation, the use of reappraisal strategies, alexithymia in at-risk groups, and the compensatory mechanisms of the brain during psychiatric transitions.
What is the main research question of the study?
The study asks whether UHR patients show differential brain activations during emotional processing and reappraisal compared to healthy controls, and whether these activations correlate with behavioral outcomes.
Which scientific methodology was employed?
The researchers used a combination of behavioral assessment, clinical interviews (CAARMS), self-report questionnaires (ERQ, BVAQ, PANAS, PANSS), and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) analyzed with SPM 8.
What is covered in the main section?
The main section details the materials and methods, presents demographic and neuroimaging results, and discusses these findings in the context of existing neural pathway models like the ventral and dorsal stream hypotheses.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
The study is characterized by keywords such as Schizophrenia, ultra-high risk, reappraisal, fMRI, and neural activation.
Why did the UHR group perform successfully in behavior tests despite lower brain activation?
The author speculates that UHR participants might be utilizing different neural resources or that the behavioral scales used in the study are not sensitive enough to capture subtle differences in emotion regulation success.
What does the study suggest about the "U-shaped curve" of prefrontal activation?
It suggests that frontal activation during reappraisal varies across the continuum of risk: patients show the least activation, certain at-risk groups show increased (compensatory) activation, and healthy controls fall in between.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anne-Katrin Muth (Autor:in), 2012, Neural activation during emotion regulation in people with ultra-high risk for psychosis, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/461277
