Self-regulation of Prefrontal Cortex during Emotional Cognitive Control

项目摘要/摘要 情绪认知控制缺陷存在于许多临床精神病患者中，包括 抑郁、焦虑和创伤后应激障碍。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- 指导活动，同时抑制对无关情绪刺激的反应，这导致了症状 并使个人在现有治疗中不太可能取得成功。左侧背外侧 前额叶皮质(LDLPFC)及其与其他区域(即背侧前扣带回皮质， 腹内侧额前皮质、脑岛、杏仁核)被认为在促进情绪方面起着中心作用 认知控制。然而，过去的研究主要利用了限制结论的相关方法 关于这些关系的方向性。增强我们对神经基础的理解 情绪认知控制对于指导这些缺陷人群的治疗是有价值的。 流程。目前的研究使用了一种名为实时功能磁的神经调制方法 磁共振成像神经反馈(rtfMRI-nf)通过受试者观察他们自己在 时刻，并被教导要自我调节这一活动。健康的成年参与者将接受训练，以增加神经 在参与涉及情绪认知控制过程的心理任务时，在LDLPFC中的活动。精神方面的 任务将包括计算、记忆单词或计划事件，同时查看负面情绪 词语(例如，杀戮、死亡、威胁)。这项研究将使用一种实验方法，参与者是随机的 到LDLPFC rtfMRI-nf或对照rtfMRI-nf，其中参与者从不是 参与情绪认知控制过程。静息状态fMRI扫描和行为测试会话 将发生在rtfMRI-nf之前和之后。具体目的是审查LDLPFC rtfMRI-nf对以下方面的影响： (1)情绪认知控制中LDLPFC的活动和(2)LDLPFC与其他脑的功能连接 休息时的区域。此外，这项研究还将检验情绪认知控制的神经关联。 独立于rtfMRI-nf。因此，最终的具体目标是(3)调查个体之间的关系 LDLPFC参与度、认知控制表现、创伤病史和睡眠质量的差异。至 促进这些发现与临床人群、创伤暴露和睡眠质量的相关性 为rtfmri-nf组的患者探索神经随时间变化的调节因子。为此，本研究 将使用rtfMRI-nf来实验研究LDLPFC活动与情绪认知的关系 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，并证明这是否是可修改的干预目标 在这一功能领域有缺陷的人群中。申请人未来的研究可以利用LDLPFC rtfMRI- 神经营养因子或其他神经调节方法，以改变临床人群中的神经活动和行为，这 无论是单独治疗还是辅助治疗，都有可能导致改善结果。

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.