Processing of a simple aversive conditioned stimulus in a divided visual field paradigm: An fMRI study

Silke Anders*, Martin Lotze, Dirk Wildgruber, Michael Erb, Wolfgang Grodd, Niels Birbaumer

*Corresponding author for this work
7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A left visual hemifield advantage for the processing of negative facial expressions has been demonstrated in a variety of studies. We tested whether the same effect is found for a neutral facial expression that had acquired a negative meaning through pairing with an aversive event. Startle reflex amplitudes, skin-conductance responses (SCR), and two verbal measures of affect (negative valence and arousal) were significantly increased after pairing, but no stimulation side by pairing interaction was observed. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed a significant increase of BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), and the right frontal opercular region (RFOP). MPFC activity was correlated with psychophysiological and verbal emotional responses across subjects and, like these responses, was independent of the stimulation side. In contrast, RFOP activity was significantly stronger during left than during right hemifield stimulation but did not correlate with psychophysiological or verbal measures of negative affect. These results suggest that emotional responses to an aversive conditioned expressively neutral face are similar in both visual hemifields. MPFC activity seems to be closely linked to the strength of these responses.

Original languageEnglish
JournalExperimental Brain Research
Volume162
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)213-219
Number of pages7
ISSN0014-4819
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.01.2005

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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