Structural and functional brain networks of individual differences in trait anger and anger control: An unsupervised...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Machine Learning

Background:

• Anger management is vital for well-being and relationships.
• Neural underpinnings of individual differences in anger remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate structural and functional brain networks associated with trait anger and anger control.
• Utilize unsupervised machine learning to identify these neural correlates.

Main Methods:

• Applied independent component analysis to resting-state fMRI and structural MRI data from 71 participants.
• Correlated brain imaging data with scores from the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory.

Main Results:

• Higher grey matter concentration in a network (ventromedial temporal, posterior cingulate, fusiform gyrus, cerebellum) linked to increased trait anger.
• Increased activity in the default mode network (DMN) correlated with enhanced anger control.

Conclusions:

• Identified distinct structural and functional brain networks associated with individual differences in anger.
• Structural network differences may influence anger proneness, while DMN function relates to anger regulation.