Julian C Motzkin1, Carissa L Philippi2, Richard C Wolf3, Mustafa K Baskaya4, Michael Koenigs5. 1. Departments of Psychiatry (JCM, CLP, RCW, MK), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Neuroscience Training Program (JCM, RCW) University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Medical Scientist Training Program (JCM), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. 2. Departments of Psychiatry (JCM, CLP, RCW, MK), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. 3. Departments of Psychiatry (JCM, CLP, RCW, MK), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Neuroscience Training Program (JCM, RCW) University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. 4. Neurological Surgery (MKB) University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. 5. Departments of Psychiatry (JCM, CLP, RCW, MK), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. Electronic address: mrkoenigs@wisc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dysfunction in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is believed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of mood and anxiety disorders. Leading neurocircuitry models of these disorders propose that hypoactivity in the vmPFC engenders disinhibited activity of the amygdala and, consequently, pathologically elevated levels of negative affect. This model predicts that a selective loss or diminution of function of the vmPFC would result in heightened activity of the amygdala. Although this prediction has been borne out in rodent lesion and electrophysiologic studies using fear conditioning and extinction paradigms, there has not yet been a definitive test of this prediction in humans. METHODS: We tested this prediction through a novel use of functional magnetic resonance imaging in four neurosurgical patients with focal, bilateral vmPFC damage. RESULTS: Relative to neurologically healthy comparison subjects, the patients with vmPFC lesions exhibited potentiated amygdala responses to aversive images and elevated resting-state amygdala functional connectivity. No comparable group differences were observed for activity in other brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide unique evidence for the critical role of the vmPFC in regulating activity of the amygdala in humans and help elucidate the causal neural interactions that underlie mental illness.
BACKGROUND: Dysfunction in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is believed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of mood and anxiety disorders. Leading neurocircuitry models of these disorders propose that hypoactivity in the vmPFC engenders disinhibited activity of the amygdala and, consequently, pathologically elevated levels of negative affect. This model predicts that a selective loss or diminution of function of the vmPFC would result in heightened activity of the amygdala. Although this prediction has been borne out in rodent lesion and electrophysiologic studies using fear conditioning and extinction paradigms, there has not yet been a definitive test of this prediction in humans. METHODS: We tested this prediction through a novel use of functional magnetic resonance imaging in four neurosurgical patients with focal, bilateral vmPFC damage. RESULTS: Relative to neurologically healthy comparison subjects, the patients with vmPFC lesions exhibited potentiated amygdala responses to aversive images and elevated resting-state amygdala functional connectivity. No comparable group differences were observed for activity in other brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide unique evidence for the critical role of the vmPFC in regulating activity of the amygdala in humans and help elucidate the causal neural interactions that underlie mental illness.
Authors: Michael Koenigs; Edward D Huey; Matthew Calamia; Vanessa Raymont; Daniel Tranel; Jordan Grafman Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2008-11-19 Impact factor: 6.167
Authors: Dominik A Moser; Tatjana Aue; Francesca Suardi; Hana Kutlikova; Maria I Cordero; Ana Sancho Rossignol; Nicolas Favez; Sandra Rusconi Serpa; Daniel S Schechter Journal: Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci Date: 2014-07-25 Impact factor: 3.436
Authors: A Frick; F Åhs; Å M Palmquist; A Pissiota; U Wallenquist; M Fernandez; M Jonasson; L Appel; Ö Frans; M Lubberink; T Furmark; L von Knorring; M Fredrikson Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2015-12-01 Impact factor: 15.992