Frontoparietal processing of stress-relevant information differs in individuals with a negative cognitive style

Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Cecilia WestbrookRichard J Davidson

Abstract

Prior research indicates that cognitive vulnerabilities can render individuals more susceptible to psychopathology in the wake of stressful events. However, little work has directly targeted the neural mechanisms involved. In this study, we examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity as a function of negative cognitive style, a well-studied cognitive vulnerability for depression. We adapted a robust paradigm in which undergraduate students completed fMRI testing after a known ecologically valid stressor (a midterm exam). Negative cognitive style correlated with brain activity in response to both negative and exam-related information in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and/or angular gyrus, both regions involved in abstract, self-referential thought. There were commonalities and differences in patterns of activity, suggesting that these individuals may process domain-general and domain-specific negative information in different ways but drawing upon a common frontoparietal network. This study, thus, identifies a potential brain network associated with negative cognitive style, and enhances our understanding of neural mechanisms of cognitive vulnerability to psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Brain Imaging of Neural Circuits

Neural circuits are groups of interconnected neurons which carry out specific functions when activated. Imaging these neural circuits allows researches to further elucidate their mechanisms and functions. Follow this feed to stay up to date on brain imaging of neural circuits.

Brain Imaging of Neural Circuits (MDS)

Neural circuits are groups of interconnected neurons which carry out specific functions when activated. Imaging these neural circuits allows researches to further elucidate their mechanisms and functions. Follow this feed to stay up to date on brain imaging of neural circuits.