1. Neural Activation for Emotional Induction: Differential Responses as a Function of Impulsivity and Reward-Sensitivity
 C.E.Benca1, H.R. Collins1, C.R. Corbly1, Y. Jiang2, T.H. Kelly2, & J.E. Joseph1
 1 Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology 2 Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky
Background
Greater activation for high-impulsive than for low-impulsive groups
High sensation seeking is associated with risky behaviors and negative behavioral outcomes (Bardo et al., 1996; Roberti, 2004)
High sensation seekers are more sensitive to arousal than low sensation seekers (Joseph et al., 2009; Zuckerman, 2005)
However, little is known about neural systems involved in emotional reactivity among individuals varying in sensation seeking traits.
Present Research Goal: Identify regions recruited by subjects who vary on key characteristics of sensation seeking for positive and negative valence pictures that are high and low in arousal.
The left amygdala is activated by high arousal items, regardless of valence. The difference between high and low arousal is greatest in the highIMP-lowRew group (although present in low-low and hi-hi groups) but the difference is weakest in the high reward group.
Degree of extraversion has been associated with greater amygdala activation when participants view pleasant pictures, the highIMP-lowRew group shows this trend the strongest.
p< .0005
0, 38, 6
p< .0005
-30, -4, -22 R L
[Arousal effect: F(1, 80) = 39.36, p=.000 η2p=.330]
Methods
Task
Summary
References
Press the button when you see each picture
Participants were classified into 4 groups based on scores from the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (Zuckerman, et al., 1993). Low reward seeking and low impulsivity (LSS), Low reward seeking, high impulsivity (Impuls), High reward seeking, low impulsivity (Reward) & High reward seeking, high impulsivity (HSS).
Participants:
fMRI Procedures: Siemen’s 3T Trio
TR=2.5s, TE=30ms, FA=84°,
mm axial slices
Event-related design
Stimuli were 200 IAPS pictures presented for 1 second each:
50 HAN, 50 HAP, 50 LAN, 50 LAP
The impulsivity dimension was more strongly implicated in emotional reactivity than the reward-sensitivity dimension, as assessed with the present task
Although all regions showed greater activation for high arousal stimuli, valence effects also emerged – positive pictures showed more activation than negative pictures, especially for high-impulsive individuals in the anterior cingulate
The anterior cingulate is involved in emotional regulation and cognitive control; individual differences in emotional reactivity in this region may be associated with dysregulated behaviors due to impulsivity.
Bardo, M.T., Donohew, R.L., & Harrington, N.G. (1996). Psychobiology
of novelty seeking and drug seeking behavior. Behavioural Brain Research, 77, 23–43.
Joseph, J.E., Liu, X., Jiang, Y., Lynam, D., & Kelly, T. (2009). Neural correlates of emotional reactivity in sensation seeking. Psychological Science, 20,
Roberti, J.W. (2004). A review of behavioral and biological correlates
of sensation seeking. Journal of Research in Personality, 38, 256 – 279.
Zuckerman, M. (2005). Psychobiology of personality. Cambridge, England:
Cambridge University Press.
Zuckerman, M., Kuhlman, D.M., Joireman, J., Teta, P., & Kraft, M.
(1993). A comparison of three structural models of personality: The big three, the big five, and the alternative five. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 757–768.
This research was supported by NICHD R01 HD052724, COBRE P20 RR CDART P50 DA00312
Low Arousal Positive
(LAP)
High Arousal Positive
(HAP)
Low Reward
High Reward
Low Impulsivity
LSS: n = 21 (11F)
Reward: n= 22(11F)
High Impulsivity
Impulse: n= 20(10F)
HSS: n = 21 (11F)
High Arousal Negative
(HAN)
Low Arousal Negative
(LAN)