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Amygdala-orbitofrontal resting-state functional connectivity is associated with trait anger.
Carl E Fulwiler1, Jean A King, Nanyin Zhang
1Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA. carl.fulwiler@umassmed.edu
Neuroreport
|May 24, 2012
Summary
Trait anger, a stable tendency to experience anger, is inversely linked to functional brain connectivity between the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. Anger control shows the opposite correlation, suggesting neural markers for emotional regulation differences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Emotion regulation research distinguishes between transient emotional states and stable emotional traits.
- Neural mechanisms of trait anger, unlike anger states, remain less understood.
- Functional connectivity in corticolimbic circuits is implicated in emotional processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between trait anger and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex.
- To explore the neural basis of stable individual differences in anger regulation.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) was used in 16 healthy men.
- Spielberger State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory assessed anger measures.
- Correlational analyses examined the relationship between RSFC and trait anger/anger control.
Main Results:
- Trait Anger showed an inverse association with RSFC between the amygdala and contralateral middle orbitofrontal cortex.
- This inverse association was stronger for the right amygdala-left orbitofrontal connection.
- Anger Control was positively correlated with amygdala-orbitofrontal connectivity.
Conclusions:
- RSFC in the amygdala-orbitofrontal circuit may underlie stable differences in anger regulation.
- These findings suggest RSFC could serve as a trait marker for emotional dysregulation disorders.
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