A Multimodal Investigation of Core Neural Responses Associated with Basic Emotion States Open Access
Vytal, Katherine Elizabeth (2010)
Abstract
Although it is widely accepted that we experience basic emotion
states (happiness,
sadness, anger, fear, and disgust), the extent to which and level
at which our minds and
bodies differentiate such states is under debate. Previous research
(e.g., Damasio et al.,
2000; Ekman et al., 1983; Rainville et al., 2006) suggests that
basic emotion states are
associated with discrete patterns of neural and psychophysiological
activity, yet these
patterns have not been consistently demonstrated either between
emotion states or across
studies (Barrett & Wager, 2006). Additionally, most
neuroimaging studies of emotion
have explored only one or two emotions concurrently, typically
using a single elicitation
paradigm (e.g., viewing facial expressions or viewing emotional
pictures), restricting
generalizability of results and comparisons across emotion states.
In an effort to
determine whether or not there are discrete patterns of neural and
autonomic nervous
system (ANS) activity that characterize each basic emotion state,
we conducted two
studies: Study 1 is a meta-analysis of neuroimaging evidence in
support of basic emotion
states; Study 2 is a neuroimaging experiment investigating neural
and
psychophysiological activation patterns associated with basic
emotion states. In Study 1
we used Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) to statistically
compare results across
neuroimaging studies of emotion. The results were consistent with
basic emotion theory;
Study 1 demonstrated that each of the emotion states was
characterized by consistent
neural correlates across studies. Further, these activations were
discrete and overlapped
substantially with established structure-function relationships in
other domains. In Study
2 we used fMRI and physiological variables to explore activations
associated with basic
emotion states elicited by films and memories. The results of Study
2 demonstrated that
basic emotions are associated with characteristic and
differentiable neural correlates, and
these findings converge with the results of the meta-analysis and
previous research. In
addition, we found that variability in these patterns was
associated with elicitation
method (films vs. memories) and with state and trait anxiety
scores. Overall, these
findings support basic emotion theory, and underscore the advantage
of describing
emotions on multiple levels (e.g., brain and ANS) and across
different contexts in order
to fully capture emotional experience.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: General Introduction ... 1
Chapter 2: Study 1: Meta-analysis of Neuroimaging Support for Basic Emotions ... 22
Chapter 3: Study 2: Neural Correlates of Basic Emotion States Elicited by Films and Memories ... 70
Chapter 4: General Discussion ... 367
References: ... 375
Appendix A. 396
Appendix B. 398
Appendix C. 400
Appendix D. 405
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