Neural Modulation in Aversive Emotion Processing: An Independent Component Analysis Study

Abstract

Emotional processing has an important role in social interaction. We report the findings about the Independent Component Analysis carried out on a fMRI set obtained with a paradigm of face emotional processing. The results showed that an independent component, mainly cerebellar-medial-frontal, had a positive modulation associated with fear processing. Also, another independent component, mainly parahippocampal-prefrontal, showed a negative modulation that could be associated with implicit reappraisal of emotional stimuli. Independent Component Analysis could serve as a method to understand complex cognitive processes and their underlying neural dynamics.

Categorical interoception and the role of threat

“…Although response times are usually faster in fearful situations (Mohanty and Sussman, 2013;Romero-Rebollar et al, 2016), slower response times on error trials have been found in tasks that are difficult and emphasize accuracy instead of speed (Luce (1986) in Ratcliff and Rouder, 1998;Swensson, 1972). Slower response times on error trials and inthe threat condition could thus be understood from a higher cognitive load as a result of task complexity (i.e., the presentation of an additional stimulus) (Schvaneveldt, 1969) and/or from response inhibition to avoid errors (Aylward and Robinson, 2017;Hu et al, 2012;Mkrtchian et al, 2017).…”

Neural correlates of the natural observation of an emotionally loaded video

“…In the field of emotions, functional connectivity has been used to estimate the stress on the connectivity networks [ 1 ]. There are few studies in which ICA has been used to estimate the neural networks in the course of emotion processing [ 18 – 21 ]. Also, ICA has been applied to analyze fMRI data collected during movie watching [ 9 , 10 ].…”

Neural Correlates of the Natural Observation of an Emotionally Loaded Video

“…shows that there are a few studies where ICA has been applied to observe the neural networks during emotion processing 11,12,13,14 . Specifically there is a lack of studies that describe the active networks associated to resting state conditions under a stressful or emotionally disturbing condition 15,16 considering an ecologically valid and naturalistic stimulus.…”