Age differences in neural discriminability of rumination and worry

Emotional thought patterns such as rumination, worry, and positive reflection are rooted in autobiographical memory and influence well-being. However, their neural representations and how they vary remain poorly understood. This study examined brain activation patterns linked to rumination, worry, and positive thinking in adults aged 18-64. Participants recalled autobiographical events during fMRI, and machine learning was used to decode whole-brain activation patterns. Results showed that neural differentiation of rumination and worry increased with age. Greater age was associated with increased activation in cognitive control regions during rumination, and decreased activation in the cingulate cortex and temporoparietal junction during worry. Positive thinking showed no significant age-related effects. Greater neural discrimination between positive thinking and rumination was associated with higher well-being. These findings suggest that individual differences in the neural representation of emotional thought may reflect age-related improvements in cognitive control and reduced reactivity to distressing thoughts across mid-adulthood, highlighting a possible neural basis for enhanced emotional well-being in midlife.