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Neural Function Desynchronisation in Left and Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortices During Virtual Reality
Hikari Otsuka1, Sayaka Okahashi2,3, Akitoshi Seiyama3
1Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. otsuka.hikari.65u@st.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 14, 2024
Summary
Virtual reality simulations revealed that earthquake videos disrupt neural synchronisation between brain regions. This contrasts with neutral videos, highlighting the impact of disaster-related emotional distress on brain activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Disaster Medicine
Background:
- Understanding emotional and neural responses during natural disasters is crucial for managing public safety during evacuations.
- Limited research exists on the specific brain activity and emotional changes experienced by individuals during seismic events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate emotional responses and neural connectivity changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFCs) during a simulated earthquake using immersive virtual reality (VR).
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four healthy adults viewed virtual reality earthquake and neutral videos via a head-mounted display (HMD).
- Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measured changes in total haemoglobin concentration (Δtotal-Hb) in the left and right DLPFCs.
- Spearman's correlation analysis assessed the relationship between Δtotal-Hb in both DLPFCs during video exposure.
Main Results:
- A negative correlation (ρ = -0.53) was observed between left and right DLPFC Δtotal-Hb during the earthquake video, indicating disrupted neural synchronisation.
- A positive correlation (ρ = 0.75) was found in the DLPFCs during the neutral video, suggesting maintained synchronisation.
- Virtual earthquake stimuli altered steady-state neural synchronisation between the left and right DLPFCs.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality simulations can effectively induce emotional responses comparable to real-world stressful events.
- Earthquake-related emotional distress significantly impacts neural synchronisation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices.
- Findings suggest that impaired neural synchronisation may be a key neural mechanism underlying emotional dysregulation during disasters.
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