The structural integrity of an amygdala-prefrontal pathway predicts trait anxiety.
Here, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and showed that the strength of an axonal pathway identified between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex predicted individual differences in trait anxiety. A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) functional localizer that has been shown to produce reliable amygdala activation was collected in 20 psychiatrically healthy subjects. Voxelwise regression analyses using this fMRI amygdala reactivity as a regressor were performed on fractional anisotropy images derived from DTI. This analysis identified a white matter pathway between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Individual differences in the structural integrity of this putative amygdala-prefrontal pathway were inversely correlated with trait anxiety levels (i.e., higher pathway strength predicted lower anxiety). More generally, this study illustrates a strategy for combining fMRI and DTI to identify individual differences in structural pathways that predict behavioral outcomes.
Kim
M Justin
MJ
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA. justin.m.kim@dartmouth.edu
Whalen
Paul J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000679:Amygdala / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen