Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 780.6 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | FUNCTIONAL MRI RESPONSES OF THE HUMAN DORSAL AND VENTRAL AMYGDALOID REGIONS TO FACIAL EXPRESSIONS OF EMOTION. |
| Authors: |
Kim, H.*1,2
; Somerville, L. H.2,3
; McLean, A. A.1,2
; Johnstone, T.2,3
; Shin, L. M.4
; Whalen, P. J.1,2,3
1Dept of Psychol, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 2Wm Keck Laboratory for Func Brain Imag & Behav, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 3Dept of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 4Dept of Psychol, Tufts University, Medford, MA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Motivation and Emotion |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Human Cognition and Behavior<br />-- Other higher functions |
| Session: |
780. Motivation and emotion VIII Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 6, 2002 2:00 PM-3:00 PM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 O-4 |
| Keywords: | AMYGDALA, EMOTION, FUNCTIONAL MRI, FACIAL |
We have recently demonstrated activation within the dorsal amygdala/sublenticular substantia innominata (SI) region to fearful facial expressions when contrasted with angry facial expressions (Whalen et al., 2001). This subtraction suggests that negative valence per se is not driving these signal changes. If so, we hypothesized that the facial expression of surprise, which is not necessarily negatively valenced, should also activate this region of the amygdala. Human subjects viewed blocked surprised, fearful and neutral facial expressions during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI; GE 3T; 3mm coronal slices). Results demonstrate dorsal amygdaloid/SI activation to the facial expression of surprise when contrasted with neutral faces. In these same subjects, fearful facial expressions activated the ventral amygdala when contrasted with neutral facial expressions. Our working hypothesis is that activation of the ventral amygdala is consistent with the detection of valence differences, based upon what this system has learned in the past. Activation of the dorsal amygdaloid/SI region is related to attempts to discern the predictive value that these expressions have in the present context and does not seem to depend upon valence. The usefulness of the working hypothesis remains to be determined. What seems clear is that reliable differences exist between the responsivity of the dorsal and ventral amygdala to the presentation of facial expressions of emotion.
Supported by NIMH (MH01866) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
Copyright © 2002-2025 Society for Neuroscience; all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.
