Biobehavioral threat sensitivity and amygdala volume: A twin neuroimaging study.
Neuroimage
; 186: 14-21, 2019 02 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30394325
ABSTRACT
Current literature on the relationship between dispositional fear (or threat sensitivity) and amygdala gray matter volume (GMV) is heterogeneous, with findings including positive, negative, and null correlations. A clearer understanding of this relationship would help to determine the potential utility of amygdala volume as a biomarker of anxious/depressive (internalizing) disorders and contribute to understanding of neural mechanisms for variations in fearfulness. The study reported here used voxel-based morphometry to quantify amygdala GMV scores from structural neuroimaging data in a sample of 44 monozygotic twins (i.e., 22 pairs). Dispositional threat sensitivity (THT) was quantified using a biobehavioral cross-domain score that combined neurophysiological indicators with a psychological scale measure. Analyses revealed expected high concordance for amygdala GMV between co-twins. With respect to the major question of the study, a negative correlation was found between biobehavioral THT scores and amygdala volume - with individuals higher in THT showing smaller amygdala GMV scores. More modest associations of amygdala GMV with symptoms of social phobia, and fear disorder symptomology more broadly, were mediated by THT. These results provide insight into prior mixed findings and support the combined use of biological and behavioral measures to quantify characteristics relevant to mental health problems.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trastornos Fóbicos
/
Miedo
/
Neuroimagen
/
Sustancia Gris
/
Amígdala del Cerebelo
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Neuroimage
Asunto de la revista:
DIAGNOSTICO POR IMAGEM
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article