BACKGROUND: Several recent neuroimaging studies have examined the neuroanatomical correlates of normal emotional states, such as happiness, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, and disgust; however, no previous study has examined the emotional state of guilt. METHODS: In the current study, we used positron emission tomography and the script-driven imagery paradigm to study regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during the transient emotional experience of guilt in eight healthy male participants. In the Guilt condition, participants recalled and imagined participating in a personal event involving the most guilt they had ever experienced. In the Neutral condition, participants recalled and imagined participating in an emotionally neutral personal event. RESULTS: In the Guilt versus Neutral comparison, rCBF increases occurred in anterior paralimbic regions of the brain: bilateral anterior temporal poles, anterior cingulate gyrus, and left anterior insular cortex/inferior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: These results, along with those of previous studies, are consistent with the notion that anterior paralimbic regions of the brain mediate negative emotional states in healthy individuals.
BACKGROUND: Several recent neuroimaging studies have examined the neuroanatomical correlates of normal emotional states, such as happiness, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, and disgust; however, no previous study has examined the emotional state of guilt. METHODS: In the current study, we used positron emission tomography and the script-driven imagery paradigm to study regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during the transient emotional experience of guilt in eight healthy male participants. In the Guilt condition, participants recalled and imagined participating in a personal event involving the most guilt they had ever experienced. In the Neutral condition, participants recalled and imagined participating in an emotionally neutral personal event. RESULTS: In the Guilt versus Neutral comparison, rCBF increases occurred in anterior paralimbic regions of the brain: bilateral anterior temporal poles, anterior cingulate gyrus, and left anterior insular cortex/inferior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: These results, along with those of previous studies, are consistent with the notion that anterior paralimbic regions of the brain mediate negative emotional states in healthy individuals.
Authors: Andy C Belden; Deanna M Barch; Timothy J Oakberg; Laura M April; Michael P Harms; Kelly N Botteron; Joan L Luby Journal: JAMA Psychiatry Date: 2015-01 Impact factor: 21.596
Authors: W Kyle Simmons; Jason A Avery; Joel C Barcalow; Jerzy Bodurka; Wayne C Drevets; Patrick Bellgowan Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2012-06-13 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Barbara Basile; Francesco Mancini; Emiliano Macaluso; Carlo Caltagirone; Richard S J Frackowiak; Marco Bozzali Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Dimitrios Kapogiannis; Aron K Barbey; Michael Su; Giovanna Zamboni; Frank Krueger; Jordan Grafman Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2009-03-09 Impact factor: 11.205