Trait impulsivity is related to ventral ACC and amygdala activity during primary reward anticipation

Kara L Kerr; Jason A Avery; Joel C Barcalow; Scott E Moseman; Jerzy Bodurka; Patrick S F Bellgowan; W Kyle Simmons

doi:10.1093/scan/nsu023

Trait impulsivity is related to ventral ACC and amygdala activity during primary reward anticipation

Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2015 Jan;10(1):36-42. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsu023. Epub 2014 Feb 12.

Authors

Kara L Kerr¹, Jason A Avery¹, Joel C Barcalow², Scott E Moseman¹, Jerzy Bodurka¹, Patrick S F Bellgowan¹, W Kyle Simmons³

Affiliations

¹ Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK 74136-3326, USA, Department of Psychology, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Laureate Psychiatric Clinics and Hospital, Tulsa, OK 74136, USA, College of Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA, and Faculty of Community Medicine, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK 74136-3326, USA, Department of Psychology, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Laureate Psychiatric Clinics and Hospital, Tulsa, OK 74136, USA, College of Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA, and Faculty of Community Medicine, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA.
² Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK 74136-3326, USA, Department of Psychology, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Laureate Psychiatric Clinics and Hospital, Tulsa, OK 74136, USA, College of Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA, and Faculty of Community Medicine, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA.
³ Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK 74136-3326, USA, Department of Psychology, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Laureate Psychiatric Clinics and Hospital, Tulsa, OK 74136, USA, College of Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA, and Faculty of Community Medicine, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK 74136-3326, USA, Department of Psychology, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA, Laureate Psychiatric Clinics and Hospital, Tulsa, OK 74136, USA, College of Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA, and Faculty of Community Medicine, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA wksimmons@laureateinstitute.org.

Abstract

Trait impulsivity is characterized by behavioral disinhibition and rash decision-making that contribute to many maladaptive behaviors. Previous research demonstrates that trait impulsivity is related to the activity of brain regions underlying reward sensitivity and emotion regulation, but little is known about this relationship in the context of immediately available primary reward. This is unfortunate, as impulsivity in these contexts can lead to unhealthy behaviors, including poor food choices, dangerous drug use and risky sexual practices. In addition, little is known about the relationship between integration of reward and affective neurocircuitry, as measured by resting-state functional connectivity, and trait impulsivity in everyday life, as measured with a commonly used personality inventory. We therefore asked healthy adults to undergo a functional magnetic resonance imaging task in which they saw cues indicating the imminent oral administration of rewarding taste, as well as a resting-state scan. Trait impulsivity was associated with increased activation during anticipation of primary reward in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and amygdala. Additionally, resting-state functional connectivity between the ACC and the right amygdala was negatively correlated with trait impulsivity. These findings demonstrate that trait impulsivity is related not only to ACC-amygdala activation but also to how tightly coupled these regions are to one another.

Keywords: amygdala; anterior cingulate cortex; fMRI; impulsivity; primary reward.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Amygdala / physiopathology*
Anticipation, Psychological*
Character
Cues
Decision Making
Female
Gyrus Cinguli / physiopathology*
Humans
Impulsive Behavior*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Photic Stimulation
Reward*
Taste
Temperature

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding