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Controllability modulates the anticipatory response in the human ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Deborah L Kerr1, Donald G McLaren, Robin M Mathy
1Waisman Center for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA ; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA.
Frontiers in Psychology
|April 4, 2013
Summary
Perceived control over stressful events activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in humans. This brain region
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Perceived control is crucial for psychological functioning.
- Lack of control is implicated in psychiatric disorders.
- Maier's model (2006) proposes control activates vmPFC to inhibit stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test Maier's model of behavioral control in humans.
- To investigate the effects of control over aversive stimuli on neural activity.
- To examine anticipatory brain activity in snake phobics.
Main Methods:
- 21 snake phobics viewed snake videos under conditions of control and no control.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measured brain activity.
- Analysis focused on anticipatory neural activity preceding video onset.
Main Results:
- Snake phobics showed greater vmPFC activity when they had control over video presentation.
- Functional connectivity between vmPFC and amygdala was observed.
- Results align with vmPFC's role in inhibiting the amygdala.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the extension of Maier's model to human anticipatory functions.
- Perceived control modulates neural responses to potential threats.
- vmPFC plays a key role in regulating stress responses via control.
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