Inter-individual differences in the experience of negative emotion predict variations in functional brain...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Affective Neuroscience

Background:

• The dorsal attention network (DAN) and default mode network (DMN) support external and internal cognition.
• The frontoparietal control network (FPC) regulates DAN and DMN interactions.
• Understanding links between these networks and non-clinical affective variations is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate intrinsic functional interactions among DAN, DMN, and FPC.
• Examine relationships between these network interactions and affective states/symptoms.
• Clarify neural underpinnings of non-clinical affective functioning.

Main Methods:

• Used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure intrinsic functional connectivity.
• Analyzed data from 162 participants in the Human Connectome Project.
• Assessed current negative emotions, subclinical depressive, and anxiety symptoms.

Main Results:

• Overall DAN dominance was observed, modulated by emotion and symptoms.
• Sadness and depression predicted weaker DAN-FPC connectivity (reduced external attention).
• Anger and anxiety predicted stronger DAN-FPC connectivity (and weaker DMN-FPC coupling for anxiety).

Conclusions:

• Distinct affective states and subclinical mood symptoms exhibit dissociable neural signatures.
• Findings highlight the interplay between cognitive networks and emotional states.
• Neural patterns reflect the symbiotic relationship between cognition and emotion.