title: Alteration learning in social anxiety disorder: an fMRI study.
abstract: The present study attempts to challenge the orbitofrontal cortex by using a learning paradigm which is specifically subserved by this cortical region. We implemented a version of alternation learning specifically designed for fMRI and assessed the cognitive performance and fMRI response in wide range of social anxiety disorder (SAD) severity (n=15). The main regions that were activated by the alternation learning task included portions of frontal and orbitofrontal cortex as well as the calcarine fissure. Correlations between brain activation and performance of the alternation learning task were found, among other regions, in the left and right orbitofrontal cortex. Highest correlations between degree of activation and the anxiety scores as assessed by the Leibovitch Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) were obtained in the left temporal region as well as orbitofrontal cortex. This study supports the involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex in emotion and cognitive regulation in SAD.
authors.affiliation: Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel. risseroff@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gross-Isseroff
authors.forename: Tammar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kushnir
authors.forename: Haggai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hermesh
authors.forename: Sofi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marom
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index