A preliminary study of increased amygdala activation to positive affective stimuli in mania.
OBJECTIVE
The present study in hypomanic and manic patients explored how amygdala responses to affective stimuli depend on the valence of the stimuli presented.


METHODS
We compared 10 patients with 10 matched healthy control subjects. We measured blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses in the amygdala while subjects passively viewed photographs taken from the International Affective Picture System. After the fMRI session, subjects saw the pictures again and subjectively rated the emotional valence and intensity of each picture.


RESULTS
Compared to healthy individuals, hypomanic or manic patients showed higher valence ratings in positive pictures and associated larger BOLD responses in the left amygdala during positive versus neutral picture viewing. This enhanced amygdala activation was correlated with Young Mania Rating Scale scores and with euphoric as opposed to irritable symptom presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased valence ratings and amygdala responses to positive affective stimuli may reflect a positive processing bias contributing to elevated mood states characteristic for euphoric mania.
Bermpohl
Felix
F
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Dalanay
Umut
U
Kahnt
Thorsten
T
Sajonz
Bastian
B
Heimann
Hannah
H
Ricken
Roland
R
Stoy
Meline
M
Hägele
Claudia
C
Schlagenhauf
Florian
F
Adli
Mazda
M
Wrase
Jana
J
Ströhle
Andreas
A
Heinz
Andreas
A
Bauer
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000098:blood supply*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen