Self-regulation of Prefrontal Cortex during Emotional Cognitive Control

项目总结/摘要 情绪认知控制的缺陷存在于许多临床精神病人群中，包括 抑郁焦虑和创伤后应激障碍在这一功能领域的缺陷限制了一个人将注意力集中在目标上的能力- 定向活动，同时抑制对不相关情绪刺激的反应，这会导致症状 这些疾病，并使个人不太可能成功地在现有的治疗。左背外侧 前额叶皮层（LDLPFC）及其与其他区域的连接（即，背侧前扣带皮层， 腹内侧前额叶皮层，杏仁核）被认为在促进情绪方面起着核心作用。 认知控制然而，过去的研究主要利用相关性方法，限制了结论 这些关系的方向性加强我们对神经基础的理解， 情绪认知控制可能对指导治疗这些缺陷的人群是有价值的。 流程.目前的研究利用了一种称为实时功能磁共振的神经调节方法。 共振成像神经反馈（rtfMRI-nf），参与者借此观察他们自己的神经活动， 这是一个时刻，并被教导自我调节这种活动。健康的成年参与者将接受训练，以增加神经 活动的LDLPFC，而参与涉及情绪认知控制过程的心理任务。心理 任务将包括计数，记住单词，或计划事件，同时查看负价情绪 单词（例如，死亡，威胁）。本研究将采用实验方法，参与者被随机分组 与LDLPFC rtfMRI-nf或对照rtfMRI-nf相比，其中参与者接收来自未 涉及情绪认知控制过程。静息状态功能磁共振成像扫描和行为测试 将在rtfMRI-nf之前和之后进行。具体目标是审查低密度脂蛋白全氟化学品对以下方面的影响： (1)情绪认知控制过程中的LDLPFC活性和（2）LDLPFC与其他大脑的功能连接 休息期间的区域。此外，本研究将探讨情绪认知控制的神经相关性 独立于rtfMRI-nf。因此，最终的具体目标是（3）研究个体之间的关系 LDLPFC参与，认知控制性能，创伤史和睡眠质量的差异。到 促进这些发现与临床人群的相关性，创伤暴露和睡眠质量将是 作为rtfMRI-nf组随时间推移神经变化的调节因子。为此，本研究 将使用rtfMRI-nf实验研究LDLPFC活动与情绪认知之间的关系 控制以及研究这些独立于rtfMRI-NF的神经机制。这项研究将提高我们的 了解情绪认知控制，并证明这是否是一个可修改的干预目标 在这个功能领域有缺陷的人群中。申请人的未来研究可以使用LDLPFC rtfMRI- NF或其他神经调节方法来改变临床人群的神经活动和行为， 作为独立或连续治疗，可能会改善结局。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Deficits in emotional cognitive control are present in a number of clinical psychiatric populations including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Deficits in this domain of function limit one's ability to focus attention on goal- directed activities while inhibiting reactions to irrelevant emotional stimuli, and this contributes to the symptoms of these disorders and makes individuals less likely to be successful in existing treatments. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) and its connectivity with other regions (i.e., dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, insula, amygdala) is thought to play a central role in facilitating emotional cognitive control. However, past research has primarily utilized correlational approaches that limit conclusions about the directionality of these relationships. Enhancing our understanding of the neural underpinnings of emotional cognitive control could be valuable for informing treatment for populations with deficits in these processes. The current study utilizes a neuromodulatory approach called real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) whereby participants observe their own neural activity in the moment and are taught to self-regulate this activity. Healthy adult participants will be trained to increase neural activity in LDLPFC while involved in mental tasks involving emotional cognitive control processes. The mental tasks will include counting, remembering words, or planning events while viewing negatively-valenced emotional words (e.g., kill, death, threat). This study will use an experimental approach with participants being randomized to either LDLPFC rtfMRI-nf or control rtfMRI-nf where participants receive neural feedback from a region not involved with emotional cognitive control processes. Resting-state fMRI scans and behavioral testing sessions will take place before and after rtfMRI-nf. The specific aims are to examine the impact of LDLPFC rtfMRI-nf on: (1) LDLPFC activity during emotional cognitive control and (2) LDLPFC functional connectivity with other brain regions during rest. Additionally, this study will examine the neural correlates of emotional cognitive control independent of rtfMRI-nf. Thus, the final specific aim is to (3) Investigate relationships between individual differences in LDLPFC engagement, cognitive control performance, trauma history, and sleep quality. To facilitate the relevance of these findings to clinical populations, trauma exposure and sleep quality will be explored as moderators of neural change across time for those in the rtfMRI-nf group. To these ends, this study will use rtfMRI-nf to experimentally investigate the relationship between LDLPFC activity and emotional cognitive control as well as investigate these neural mechanisms independent of rtfMRI-nf. This research will improve our understanding of emotional cognitive control and demonstrate whether this is a modifiable target for intervention in populations with deficits in this domain of function. Future studies by the applicant could utilize LDLPFC rtfMRI- nf or other neuromodulatory approaches to modify neural activity and behavior in clinical populations, which could potentially lead to improved outcomes either as standalone or adjunctive treatment.