The Influence of the Left Amygdala and Left Hippocampus on Positive Valence-Dependent Emotion Recognition Processes in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Importance: Deficits in emotion recognition have a negative impact on quality of life. Negative valence deficits in emotion recognition can result in the misinterpretation of dangerous or sensitive situations, thereby posing a notable risk to health and safety. Pre- and post-surgical temporal lobe epilepsy patients are known to have these deficits, so discovering the brain regions associated with them and specificities regarding valence can better inform patients, surgeons, and caretakers of risks associated with different treatment options.

Objective: Investigate the relationship between 18 regions of the temporal lobe (9 bilateral regions) and valence-dependent emotional recognition processes.

Design: Observational pilot study

Participants: 88 participants; 40 healthy controls, 23 right-sided temporal lobe epilepsy patients, 25 left-sided temporal lobe epilepsy patients.

Main Outcome and Measure: Baron Cohen’s “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test, volumetric MRI data

Results: Patients with smaller left amygdala and hippocampus had notable positive emotion recognition deficits as compared to controls; patients with smaller right amygdala and hippocampus had generalized deficits in emotion recognition, with no effect due to valence when accounting for trends in control responses.

Conclusion and Relevance: The left amygdala and hippocampus are correlated with functions relevant to positive emotion recognition processes.

Table of Contents

Abstract .................................................................................................................... 8

Introduction .............................................................................................................. 9

Hypothesis and Predictions ........................................................................................ 12

Methods ................................................................................................................... 13

Results ..................................................................................................................... 18

Discussion ............................................................................................................... 21

Tables and Figures .................................................................................................... 25

Table 1: Valence Categorization Table of RMET Prompts (Hudson 2020) – 25-26

Table 2, Figure 1: Mean Value of Rate of Correct Response by Diagnostic Status – 27, 28

Table 3, Figure 2: Results of Linear Regression Analysis with Lateral Amygdala Ratio Categorization – 29, 31

Table 4, Figure 3: Results of Linear Regression Analysis with Lateral Hippocampus Ratio Categorization – 30, 32

Table 5, Figure 4: Results of Linear Regression Analysis with Lateral Amygdala Ratio Categorization and Covariates – 33, 35

Table 6, Figure 5: Results of Linear Regression Analysis with Lateral Hippocampus Ratio Categorization and Covariates – 34, 36

Tables 7-10: Demographic and Grouping Data – 37-40

References ............................................................................................................. 41

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Cognitive Biology, Neuroscience
Keyword	emotion recognition temporal lobe amygdala hippocampus epilepsy
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Daniel L. Drane, Emory University
Committee Members	Andrea Roeser, Emory University Stephan Hamann, Emory University

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