Premium
Cortical and cerebellar modulation of autonomic responses to loud sounds
Author(s) -
MuellerPfeiffer Christoph,
Zeffiro Thomas,
O'Gorman Ruth,
Michels Lars,
Baumann Peter,
Wood Nellie,
Spring Justin,
Rufer Michael,
Pitman Roger K.,
Orr Scott P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/psyp.12142
Subject(s) - psychology , insula , neuroscience , anterior cingulate cortex , supramarginal gyrus , orienting response , audiology , functional magnetic resonance imaging , cognition , habituation , medicine
Detecting unexpected environmental change causes modulation of autonomic activity essential for survival. Understanding the neural mechanisms associated with responses to loud sounds may provide insights into the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ), since individuals with PTSD exhibit heightened autonomic responses to unexpected loud sounds. We combined fMRI with autonomic psychophysiological assessment to investigate central and peripheral reactivity to loud tones in 20 healthy participants. Activity in anterior insula, pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, anterior midcingulate cortex, supplementary motor area, supramarginal gyrus, and cerebellar lobules VIII – IX was associated with both tones and concomitant skin conductance responses. Since regions signaling unexpected external events modulate autonomic activity, heightened loud tone autonomic responses in PTSD may reflect sensitization of this “salience” network.