Motivation but not valence modulates neuroticism-dependent cingulate cortex and insula activity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Neuroticism is linked to altered amygdala activity in emotional processing.
• The role of other brain networks, particularly the salience network (SN), in neuroticism's effect on emotional processing remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if neural mechanisms processing emotional valence or motivation are susceptible to neuroticism within the salience network (SN).
• To explore the distinct neural pathways through which neuroticism modulates valence and motivation processing.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
• An approach/avoid emotional pictures task was used to assess brain activations.
• Participants were categorized into high and low neuroticism groups.

Main Results:

• Neuroticism-dependent activations in the salience network (SN) and parahippocampal-fusiform area were modulated by motivation, not valence.
• Valence processing interacted with neuroticism specifically in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex.
• Distinct neural networks were implicated in how neuroticism affects motivation versus valence.

Conclusions:

• Neuroticism modulates motivation processing primarily through the salience network (SN).
• Neuroticism modulates valence processing via orbitofrontal networks.
• These findings highlight distinct neural mechanisms underlying neuroticism's influence on emotional processing.