Die Abhängigkeit von fMRT-basierter Emotionsforschung von Aufgabenmerkmalen: Vergleich von vier Standardparadigmen

Affective neuroscience studies brain activity underlying emotion processing with the help of a variety of different fMRI paradigms that present subjects with emotionally valanced stimuli. It is known that the precise characteristics of fMRI tasks can have a substantial influence on the activation elicited by a paradigm, however, paradigms are currently used interchangeably and direct comparisons of tasks are scarce. This bears a potential for optimization in the planning of future studies that is not currently used. This dissertation undertook a direct comparison of four common emotion processing tasks based on the same analysis pipeline to elucidate which tasks are best suited for the study of which brain regions. Studied here are a working memory task using emotional words (EMO-BACK task) and implicit processing tasks of emotional face stimuli (FACES task) and pictures of emotional scenes (OASIS and IAPS task). Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD-) MRI data from these tasks were collected in three samples of healthy male adults (each n= 15). The tasks were compared regarding the activation they elicited in four regions of interest, that are central to emotion processing, namely the amygdala, anterior insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC). For two tasks (FACES and OASIS) where data were available from the same sample correlation analyses were conducted to investigate whether activation between the tasks was systematically related. In the EMOBACK task significant deactivation in the pgACC and significant activation in the right dlPFC and bilateral anterior insula was found, while the FACES task elicited activation selectively in the bilateral amygdala. The IAPS and OASIS task both recruited the bilateral an-terior insula and amygdala. While the activation pattern of these two tasks was similar there was greater variability in activation in response to the IAPS task. The amygdala activation elic-ited by OASIS and FACES task was not significantly correlated. This dissertation concludes that the different tasks should not be seen as interchangeable proxies for emotion processing but can rather be employed strategically in future affective neu-roimaging studies depending on the parts of the emotion processing brain network, they are interested in.Die affektiven Neurowissenschaften setzen zur Erforschung der neuronalen Grundlagen von Emotionsverarbeitung verschiedene fMRT-Aufgaben ein, bei denen den Versuchteil-nehmer:innen emotionale Stimuli gezeigt werden. Obwohl bereits bekannt ist, dass die spezifischen Eigenschaften von fMRT-Aufgaben einen substanziellen Effekt darauf haben können, welche Gehirnaktivierungen durch die Aufgabe ausgelöst werden, werden die Aufgaben gegenwärtig oft miteinander gleichgesetzt und direkte Vergleiche der Aufgaben sind selten. Das darin liegende Potential, Studiendesigns durch bewusste Auswahl der fMRT-Aufgabe zu optimieren, wird so meist vertan. Diese Dissertation hat einen direkten Vergleich von vier häufig genutzten fMRT-Aufgaben zur Emotionsverarbeitung auf Grundlage der gleichen Analysepipeline durchgeführt, um zu unter suchen, welche Aufgabe am besten geeignet ist, um welche Gehirnregion zu untersuchen. Diese waren eine Arbeitsgedächtnisaufgabe mit emotionalen Wörtern (EMOBACK-Aufgabe), und drei Aufgaben mit impliziter Verarbeitung von entweder emotionalen Gesichtsausdrücken (FACES-Aufgabe) oder Fotos emotionalen Szenen (OASIS und IAPS-Aufgabe). Von drei Stichproben (je n=15) wurden blutsauerstoff-abhängige MRT-Daten gesammelt, während diese Aufgaben bearbeitet wurden. Verglichen wurden die Aktivierungen in vier regions of interest, die zentral für die Emotionsverarbeitung im Gehirn sind: in der Amygdala, der anterioren Insula, dem dorsolateralen präfrontalen Kortex (dlPFC) und dem pregenualen anterioren zingulären Kortex (pgACC). Für die FACES- und OASIS-Aufgaben, bei denen die Daten aus der gleichen Stichprobe stammten, wurden Korrelationsanalysen durchgeführt, um zu untersuchen, ob die Aktivierungen, die durch die beiden Aufgaben ausgelöst wurden, systematisch zusammenhängen. Die EMOBACK-Aufgabe hat eine signifikante Deaktivierung im pgACC ausgelöst, sowie Aktivierungen im rechten dlPFC und in der bilateralen anterioren Insula. Im Gegensatz dazu hat die FACES-Aufgabe selektiv in der bilateralen Amygdala Aktivierungen ausgelöst. Die IAPS und OASIS-Aufgabe haben beide zu Aktivierungen in der bilateralen anterioren Insula und Amygdala geführt. Obwohl die Aktivierungsmuster in diesen beiden Aufgaben ähnlich waren, gab es größere Varianz der Aktivierungen in der IAPS-Aufgabe. Die Amygdala-Aktivierungen, die durch die FACES- und OASIS-Aufgabe ausgelöst wurden, waren nicht signifikant korreliert. Diese Dissertation schlussfolgert, dass die verschiedenen fMRT-Aufgaben nicht bedingungs los austauschbar sind. Stattdessen könnten sie in zukünftigen affektiven fMRT-Studien strategisch eingesetzt werden, abhängig davon auf welchen Gehirnregionen das konkrete Forschungsinteresse liegt

Interaction of HPA axis genetics and early life stress shapes emotion recognition in healthy adults

Background: Early life stress (ELS) affects facial emotion recognition (FER), as well as the underlying brain network. However, there is considerable inter-individual variability in these ELS-caused alterations. As the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is assumed to mediate neural and behavioural sequelae of ELS, the genetic disposition towards HPA axis reactivity might explain differential vulnerabilities. Methods: An additive genetic profile score (GPS) of HPA axis reactivity was built from 6 SNPs in 3 HPA axisrelated genes (FKBP5, CRHR1, NR3C1). We studied two independent samples. As a proof of concept, GPS was tested as a predictor of cortisol increase to a psychosocial challenge (MIST) in a healthy community sample of n=40. For the main study, a sample of n=170 completed a video-based FER task and retrospectively reported ELS experiences in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Results: GPS positively predicted cortisol increase in the stress challenge over and above covariates. CTQ and genetic profile scores interacted to predict facial emotion recognition, such that ELS had a detrimental effect on emotion processing only in individuals with higher GPS. Post-hoc moderation analyses revealed that, while a less stress-responsive genetic profile was protective against ELS effects, individuals carrying a moderate to high GPS were affected by ELS in their ability to infer emotion from facial expressions. Discussion: These results suggest that a biologically informed genetic profile score can capture the genetic disposition to HPA axis reactivity and moderates the influence of early environmental factors on facial emotion recognition. Further research should investigate the neural mechanisms underlying this moderation. The GPS used here might prove a powerful tool for studying inter-individual differences in vulnerability to early life stress

A symptom-based approach in predicting ECT outcome in depressed patients employing MADRS single items

Establishing symptom-based predictors of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) outcome seems promising, however, findings concerning the predictive value of distinct depressive symptoms or subtypes are limited; previous factor-analytic approaches based on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) remained inconclusive, as proposed factors varied across samples. In this naturalistic study, we refrained from these previous factor-analytic approaches and examined the predictive value of MADRS single items and their change during the course of ECT concerning ECT outcome. We used logistic and linear regression models to analyze MADRS data routinely assessed at three time points in 96 depressed psychiatric inpatients over the course of ECT. Mean age was 53 years (SD 14.79), gender ratio was 58:38 (F:M), baseline MADRS score was M = 30.20 (SD 5.42). MADRS single items were strong predictors of ECT response, remission and overall symptom reduction, especially items 1 (apparent sadness), 2 (reported sadness) and 8 (inability to feel), assessing affective symptoms. Strongest effects were found for regression models including item 2 (reported sadness) with up to 80% correct prediction of ECT outcome. ROC analyses were performed to estimate the optimal cut-point for treatment response. MADRS single items during the course of ECT might pose simple, reliable, time- and cost-effective predictors of ECT outcome. More severe affective symptoms of depression at baseline and a stronger reduction of these affective symptoms during the course of ECT seem to be positively associated with ECT outcome. Precise cut-off values for clinical use were proposed. Generally, these findings underline the benefits of a symptom-based approach in depression research and treatment in addition to depression sum-scores and generalized diagnoses

EffECTively Treating Depression: A Pilot Study Examining Manualized Group CBT as Follow-Up Treatment After ECT

Background: There is an urgent need for effective follow-up treatments after acute electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depressed patients. Preliminary evidence suggests psychotherapeutic interventions to be a feasible and efficacious follow-up treatment. However, there is a need for research on the long-term usefulness of such psychotherapeutic offers in a naturalistic setting that is more representative of routine clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of the current pilot study was to investigate the effects of a half-open continuous group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy elements as a follow-up treatment for all ECT patients, regardless of response status after ECT, on reducing depressive symptoms and promoting psychosocial functioning. Method: Group CBT was designed to support patients during the often-difficult transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment. In a non-controlled pilot trial, patients were offered 15weekly sessions of manualized group CBT (called EffECTiv 2.0). The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale was assessed as primary outcome; the Beck Depression Inventory, WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire-BREF, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were assessed as secondary outcomes. Measurements took place before individual group start, after individual group end, and 6months after individual group end. Results: During group CBT, Post-ECT symptom reduction was not only maintained but there was a tendency toward a further decrease in depression severity. This reduction could be sustained 6months after end of the group, regardless of response status after ECT treatment. Aspects of quality of life and emotion regulation strategies improved during group CBT, and these improvements were maintained 6months after the end of the group. Conclusion: Even though the interpretability of the results is limited by the small sample and the non-controlled design, they indicate that manualized group CBT with cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy elements might pose a recommendable follow-up treatment option after acute ECT for depressed patients, regardless of response status after ECT. This approach might not only help to further reduce depressive symptoms and prevent relapse, but also promote long-term psychosocial functioning by improving emotion regulation strategies and psychological quality of life and thus could be considered as a valuable addition to clinical routine after future validation

Ten simple rules for implementing open and reproducible research practices after attending a training course

Open, reproducible, and replicable research practices are a fundamental part of science. Training is often organized on a grassroots level, offered by early career researchers, for early career researchers. Buffet style courses that cover many topics can inspire participants to try new things; however, they can also be overwhelming. Participants who want to implement new practices may not know where to start once they return to their research team. We describe ten simple rules to guide participants of relevant training courses in implementing robust research practices in their own projects, once they return to their research group. This includes (1) prioritizing and planning which practices to implement, which involves obtaining support and convincing others involved in the research project of the added value of implementing new practices; (2) managing problems that arise during implementation; and (3) making reproducible research and open science practices an integral part of a future research career. We also outline strategies that course organizers can use to prepare participants for implementation and support them during this process

FMRI emotion research and its dependence on task specifics: comparing four standard paradigms

Binary ROI masks used in the stud

ReproducibiliTea Berlin

Materials from ReproducibiliTea sessions in Berlin. Templates and presentations are available for others to use and edit

(In)credible Research 2020 - online-conference for Credibility, Integrity and Reproducibility of Research

This is the online repository of the Berlin University Aliance's online-conference “(In)credible Research - for Credibility, Integrity and Reproducibility of Research" that took place on 29th and 30th of October 2020. Here you will find slides, recordings and other materials and resources from the online event. (We will upload those gradually.) For further information take a look at our website: https://promotion.charite.de/en/early_career_researchers_conference_2020

The role of emotion regulation as a mediator between early life stress and posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety in Syrian refugees

Early life stress is an important factor in later psychopathology, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of early life stress on psychiatric symptoms within a sample of Syrian refugees. In this model, the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies was assessed as a potential mediator of the relationship between early life stress and current symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Bootstrap analyses were generated to test the indirect effect of emotion regulation (Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire) on the relationship between early life stress (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), PTSD (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire), depressive (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms in eighty-nine Syrian refugees resided in Germany (n = 49) and Jordan (n = 40). The indirect effect of maladaptive strategies was significant between early life stress and psychopathology, whereas the mediation effect of adaptive strategies was not significant. The findings provide an evidence that emotional dysregulation is an underlying factor affecting psychological symptoms in refugees with adverse childhood experiences. These results suggest targeting cognitive emotion regulation in prospective prevention and treatment strategies

Comparison of Four fMRI Paradigms Probing Emotion Processing

Previous fMRI research has applied a variety of tasks to examine brain activity underlying emotion processing. While task characteristics are known to have a substantial influence on the elicited activations, direct comparisons of tasks that could guide study planning are scarce. We aimed to provide a comparison of four common emotion processing tasks based on the same analysis pipeline to suggest tasks best suited for the study of certain target brain regions. We studied an n-back task using emotional words (EMOBACK) as well as passive viewing tasks of emotional faces (FACES) and emotional scenes (OASIS and IAPS). We compared the activation patterns elicited by these tasks in four regions of interest (the amygdala, anterior insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC)) in three samples of healthy adults (N = 45). The EMOBACK task elicited activation in the right dlPFC and bilateral anterior insula and deactivation in the pgACC while the FACES task recruited the bilateral amygdala. The IAPS and OASIS tasks showed similar activation patterns recruiting the bilateral amygdala and anterior insula. We conclude that these tasks can be used to study different regions involved in emotion processing and that the information provided is valuable for future research and the development of fMRI biomarkers