Functional anatomic studies of interpersonal distress

描述(申请人提供)：本申请研究人际关系困扰的功能神经解剖学。基于人类对归属感的基本需求，这项研究致力于了解当人们认为自己的人际关系处于危险之中时，他们是如何处理信息的。这一主题很重要，因为有压倒性的证据表明，人际关系困扰(例如，抑郁、社交焦虑)导致并促成了身心健康问题。这项拟议中的研究使用了多种方法，并跨越了不同的分析层次，有可能为人际关系困扰如何改变人们处理信息的方式提供新的见解，从而影响他们的心理健康。尽管一些关于拒绝的神经关联的研究已经开始出现，但文献中关于特定脑区(即扣带回前皮质)参与拒绝感觉的研究还存在歧义。考虑到人际困扰对心理健康的重要性，有必要进行研究，以描绘与拒绝感觉有关的大脑过程，以及这如何影响情绪、认知和行为。具体目标--这项研究的首要目标是了解人际困扰对大脑和行为的影响。具体目标包括(A)表征检测和应对人际困扰的神经机制，包括检查大脑区域的网络，包括腹侧和背侧扣带前皮质、杏仁核和额叶内侧皮质；(B)通过测试假设一些人对社会排斥的暗示特别敏感的假设，考察个体对人际困扰反应的差异；以及(C)确定人际困境对认知、情感和行为的影响，例如更多地关注拒绝线索，增加社会记忆力，以及更多地遵守社会规范。意义-由于人际困扰与许多心理和身体健康障碍有关，这项研究将有助于更好地了解其神经关联，以及它如何影响认知、情感和行为。最终，这可能会成为许多精神健康障碍的心理治疗方法，包括抑郁症、创伤后应激障碍和社交恐惧症。公共卫生相关性：由于人际困扰在许多精神健康障碍中扮演着重要角色，了解其功能神经解剖学将有助于深入了解社交困境的认知、情感和行为后果。因此，这项研究的结果有能力提供对人际困扰的心理方面的洞察，这可能会为心理治疗提供信息。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application examines the functional neuroanatomy of interpersonal distress. Based on the premise that humans have a fundamental need to belong, this research is concerned with understanding how people process information when they believe that their interpersonal relations are at risk. This topic is important because there is overwhelming evidence of physical and mental health problems resulting from and contributing to interpersonal distress (e.g., depression, social anxiety). Using multiple methodologies, and working across levels of analysis, the proposed research has the potential to provide new insights into how interpersonal distress changes how people process information in a way that affects their mental health. Although some research examining the neural correlates of rejection is beginning to emerge, there are ambiguities in the literature regarding the involvement of specific brain regions (i.e., anterior cingulate cortex) in feelings of rejection. Given the importance of interpersonal distress to mental health, research is needed to delineate the brain processes involved in feelings of rejection and how this impacts emotion, cognition, and behavior. Specific Aims - The overarching goal of this research is to understand the impact of interpersonal distress on the brain and behavior. Specific aims include (a) characterizing the neural mechanisms for detecting and responding to interpersonal distress, which includes examining a network of brain regions including ventral and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex, (b) examining individual differences in responsiveness to interpersonal distress by testing the hypothesis that some individuals are particularly sensitive to cues of social exclusion, and (c) identifying the effects of interpersonal distress on cognition, affect, and behavior, such as greater attention to rejection cues, increased social memory, and greater adherence to social norms. Significance - Because interpersonal distress has been implicated in many mental and physical health disorders, this research will contribute to a better understanding of its neural correlates, as well as how it impacts cognition, affect, and behavior. Ultimately, this may inform psychological treatments for many mental health disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Because interpersonal distress plays a prominent role in many mental health disorders, understanding its functional neuroanatomy will provide insights into the cognitive, affective and behavioral consequences of social distress. As such, the results of this research have the capacity to provide insights into the psychological aspects of interpersonal distress, which are likely to inform psychological treatment.