Asymmetry in Resting Intracortical Activity as a Buffer to Social Threat

Abstract

Social rejection can create powerful changes in our brains and bodies. Here, we examined brain-based individual differences associated with buffering against cardiovascular threat responses to social rejection. Using electroencephalographic source localization techniques, we examined differences in intracortical asymmetry with the prediction that individuals with greater left relative to right dorsolateral prefrontal activity would show a more approach motivated response to social rejection. Eighty-four female participants were randomly assigned to stressful situations characterized by either social rejection, social evaluation without rejection, or self-evaluation. Among those assigned to social rejection, the greater the left prefrontal intracortical activity at baseline, the more participants had adaptive cardiovascular profiles and the more participants reported approach-oriented emotions. Social evaluation without rejection and self-evaluation did not show these relationships. These data are the first to show that social context matters when attempting to link individual neural differences in cortical asymmetry with approach-related cardiovascular and emotional outcomes.

Frontal brain asymmetry and transient cardiovascular responses to the perception of humor

“…Similarly, in a study of Coan and Allen (2003), a Left > Right prefrontal EEG asymmetry at rest predicted more intense (positive and negative) feelings during posed emotional facial expressions, observed for the ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal electrodes. Furthermore, Koslov et al (2011) reported an association between a Left > Right EEG asymmetry in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and a greater cardiac output response to a social stressor representing a more adaptive, approach-related response profile. These findings are in line with the idea that a Left > Right asymmetry pattern in the lateral prefrontal cortex is associated with greater emotional responsivity as compared to an asymmetry in favor of the right hemisphere .…”

“…Specifically, relative inactivity of left prefrontal regions, measured in resting conditions, is assumed to be related to an affective style associated with depression proneness (e.g., Nusslock et al, 2011;Pössel et al, 2008). It has also been suggested that a relatively lower left than right prefrontal resting activity may be associated with a less resilient response profile to emotional challenges (Koslov et al, 2011). Accordingly, findings indicated that individuals showing relative inactivity of left prefrontal regions at rest may be emotionally rigid and unresponsive to emotional events .…”

Measuring the Plasticity of Social Approach: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of the PEERS Intervention on EEG Asymmetry in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Imaging of structural white matter integrity and connectivity, and functional neural connectivity (e.g., EEG coherence), before and after intervention may shed light on these questions. Further, imaging studies of potential changes in the activation of deeper cortical and subcortical structures, including the limbic system and measures of subcortical regulation of approach or withdrawal/flight states (e.g., Koslov et al 2011) may also highlight whether plasticity of emotion circuitry and autonomic regulation contribute to intervention outcomes in ASD.…”

Cardiovascular and electrocortical markers of anger and motivation during a simulated driving task

“…An experience of threat is associated with pituitary-adrenocortical activity, inhibiting the release of adrenaline and producing a pattern where blood pressure increases whilst peripheral resistance declines. This model has been the subject of some debate (Blascovich et al, 2003;Wright and Kirkby, 2003), however, a recent study into the psychophysiology of social support/ rejection (Koslov et al, 2011) supported the model using measures of cardiovascular impedance in combination with frontal EEG asymmetry. These authors reported that baseline levels of frontal EEG asymmetry predicted cardiovascular reactivity in response to anger during the experience of social rejection.…”

“…challenge would lead to greater left frontal activation in conjunction with increased cardiac output and no change in blood pressure, whereas threat would be associated greater right frontal activation in combination with increased blood pressure. In addition, we wish to investigate whether motivational markers of approach/avoidance were correlated across cardiovascular and electrocortical measures as indicated by Koslov et al (2011).…”