Dealing with uncertainty: A high-density EEG investigation on how intolerance of uncertainty affects emotional predictions

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) can influence emotional predictions, constructed by the brain ( generation stage) to prearrange action ( implementation stage), and update internal models according to incoming stimuli ( updating stage). However, neurocomputational mechanisms by which IU affects emotional predictions are unclear. This high-density EEG study investigated if IU predicted event-related potentials (ERPs) and brain sources activity developing along the stages of emotional predictions, as a function of contextual uncertainty. Thirty-six undergraduates underwent a S1-S2 paradigm, with emotional faces and pictures as S1s and S2s, respectively. Contextual uncertainty was manipulated across three blocks, each with 100% , 75% , or 50% S1-S2 emotional congruency. ERPs, brain sources and their relationship with IU scores were analyzed for each stage. IU did not affect prediction generation . During prediction implementation , higher IU predicted larger Contingent Negative Variation in the 75% block, and lower left anterior cingulate cortex and supplementary motor area activations. During prediction updating , as IU increased P2 to positive S2s decreased, along with P2 and Late Positive Potential in the 75% block, and right orbito-frontal cortex activity to emotional S2s. IU was therefore associated with altered uncertainty assessment and heightened attention deployment during implementation , and to uncertainty avoidance, reduced attention to safety cues and disrupted access to emotion regulation strategies during prediction updating .