Neural patterns associated with mixed valence feelings differ in consistency and predictability throughout the brain.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Mixed feelings, involving simultaneous positive and negative emotions, are understudied.
• Investigating mixed feelings requires methods sensitive to individual, self-reported emotional states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the neural underpinnings of mixed feelings using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• To determine if distinct neural signatures exist for positive, negative, and mixed emotional states.

Main Methods:

• fMRI scans of 27 participants viewing a film designed to evoke mixed emotions.
• Utilizing hidden Markov models to analyze self-reported emotional states (positive, negative, mixed) and corresponding neural activity.
• Evaluating the spatiotemporal consistency of neural patterns associated with different valence states.

Main Results:

• Brain regions were identified that could predict the onset of new emotional states based on self-reports.
• The insula showed unique neural signatures for univalent (positive or negative) states, but not mixed states.
• The anterior cingulate and ventral medial prefrontal cortex exhibited consistent neural signatures for both univalent and mixed states.

Conclusions:

• Subjectively reported emotional changes, including mixed feelings, can be predicted from fMRI data.
• This study provides the first direct evidence for a neurally consistent representation of mixed feelings.