A recent study has distinguished between the brain’s ability to generate emotions and its ability to regulate them. This study is one of the first of its kind and could have significant implications for mental health and addiction treatment. The research provides a deeper understanding of how the brain processes emotions, which could ultimately lead to more effective therapeutic interventions.
Some mental health problems stem from individuals’ inability to adapt, like when persistent negative thoughts make it difficult to see a situation differently.
A new study led by Dartmouth is one of the first to distinguish between activity related to generating emotions and regulating them in the human brain. The results are published in Nature Neuroscience.
“As a former biomedical engineer, I was thrilled to discover brain regions that are exclusively involved in regulating emotions,” says lead author Ke Bo, a postdoctoral researcher.
The Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab (CANlab) at Dartmouth has revealed new insights into the workings of emotion regulation, with potential clinical applications. The researchers identified specific systems that could be targeted for brain stimulation to improve emotion regulation. By analyzing two separate sets of fMRI studies using computational methods, the researchers were able to record participants’ brain activity as they viewed negative images.The participants were then instructed to change their thoughts about a disturbing image in order to make it less upsetting, before being shown a neutral image followed by another unpleasant image. Through examining brain activity, researchers were able to pinpoint which areas of the brain are more active during emotional regulation compared to emotional generation. The study showed that emotion regulation, also referred to as “reappraisal” in neuroscience, involves specific parts of the anterior prefrontal cortex.
The study identified higher-level cortical hierarchies and their role in emotion regulation, which had not been isolated with such precision before. These regions also play a part in other high-level cognitive functions and are crucial for abstract thought and long-term future representations.
Individuals who can activate these emotion regulation-selective brain regions are more resilient to negative experiences, preventing them from being personally affected. These findings support previous research that connects these areas to improved mental health, as well as the ability to resist temptations and avoid substance addiction.
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Results indicate that the amygdala, a region of the brain associated with processing threats and negative emotions, responds similarly to aversive experiences regardless of whether individuals are using cognitive techniques to regulate their emotions. The cortex, on the other hand, is responsible for shaping emotional responses by influencing how people perceive and interpret events in their surroundings, according to Bo.
The study also aimed to identify the neurotransmitters that play a role in regulating emotions.The communication between networks of neurons is influenced by neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are targeted by both illegal drugs and medical treatments. Some neurotransmitters are essential for enabling the ability to self-regulate or “down-regulate.”
In comparing brain maps for emotion regulation from two different datasets, the team found that they overlapped with neurotransmitter binding maps from 36 other studies. It was highlighted that the systems involved in regulating negative emotions also overlapped with specific neurotransmitter systems.
“Our findings revealed a high concentration of receptors for cannabinoids, opioids, and serotonin, including 5H2A,””In the areas of the brain responsible for controlling emotions,” explained senior researcher Tor Wager, the Diana L. Taylor Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience and director of the Dartmouth Brain Imaging Center at Dartmouth. “When drugs that attach to these receptors are used, they primarily impact the system that regulates emotions, leading to concerns about their potential long-term effects on our ability to regulate our own emotions.”
Serotonin is commonly associated with depression, as the most commonly prescribed antidepressants work by inhibiting its reuptake in synapses, which are the spaces through which signals travel between neurons.
5H2A is the receptor for serotonin.tant to recognize that psychedelic drugs are having a strong impact on the treatment of mental health disorders. The study indicates that these drugs may have an effect on depression and other mental health issues by changing our perspectives on life events and our ability to regulate ourselves. This suggests that psychedelic drugs, such as psychedelics, may not be effective without the proper psychological support. By understanding the importance of integrating psychological and pharmaceutical approaches, this study could lead to advancements in therapeutic methods for mental health treatment.
“It’s important to recognize that psychedelic drugs are having a strong impact on the treatment of mental health disorders. The study indicates that these drugs may have an effect on depression and other mental health issues by changing our perspectives on life events and our ability to regulate ourselves. This suggests that psychedelic drugs, such as psychedelics, may not be effective without the proper psychological support. By understanding the importance of integrating psychological and pharmaceutical approaches, this study could lead to advancements in therapeutic methods for mental health treatment.””It’s important to consider these types of connections that come from basic science,” says Wager. “Understanding the effects of drugs requires understanding the brain systems involved and what they’re doing at a cognitive level.”