Sex differences in intrinsic brain functional connectivity underlying human shyness
Xun Yang1, Siqi Wang2, Keith Maurice Kendrick3
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China, School of Sociality and Psychology, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu 610041, China.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|May 22, 2015
Summary
Shyness is linked to distinct brain connectivity patterns, particularly in areas processing social and emotional information. These brain differences related to shyness show significant variations between males and females.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Shyness is a key personality trait linked to social-emotional difficulties and psychopathology.
- Previous neuroimaging studies show heightened responses in the frontal cortex and limbic system in shy individuals.
- The precise relationship between shyness and whole-brain functional connectivity is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between regional functional connectivity strength (rFCS) and shyness.
- To explore sex differences in the brain connectivity patterns associated with shyness.
- To control for the influence of social and trait anxiety on these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 61 healthy young adults.
- Measured regional functional connectivity strength (rFCS) across the brain.
- Correlated rFCS with shyness scores, while accounting for sex, social anxiety, and trait anxiety.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was found between the insula's rFCS and shyness scores, irrespective of sex.
- Significant sex-by-shyness interactions were observed in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex.
- In females, rFCS in these regions positively correlated with shyness; in males, it negatively correlated.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with varying degrees of shyness exhibit intrinsic differences in functional brain connectivity.
- These connectivity differences are sex-dependent, highlighting distinct neural mechanisms in males and females.
- Findings offer insights into the biological underpinnings of emotional and cognitive processing in shyness.
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