title: Distinct contributions of human hippocampal theta to spatial cognition and anxiety.
abstract: Current views of the hippocampus assign this structure, and its prominent theta rhythms, a key role in both cognition and affect. We studied this duality of function in humans, where no direct evidence exists. Whole-head magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data were recorded to measure theta activity while healthy participants (N = 25) navigated two virtual Morris water mazes, one in which they risked receiving aversive shocks without warning to induce anxiety and one in which they were safe from shocks. Results showed that threat of shock elevated anxiety level and enhanced navigation performance as compared to the safe condition. MEG source analyses revealed that improved navigation performance during threat was preferentially associated with increased left septal (posterior) hippocampal theta (specifically 4-8 Hz activity), replicating previous research that emphasizes a predominant role of the septal third of the hippocampus in spatial cognition. Moreover, increased self-reported anxiety during threat was preferentially associated with increased left temporal (anterior) hippocampal theta (specifically 2-6 Hz activity), consistent with this region's involvement in mediating conditioned and innate fear. Supporting contemporary theory, these findings highlight simultaneous involvement of the human hippocampus in spatial cognition and anxiety, and clarify their distinct correlates.
authors.affiliation: Section on Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. cornwellb@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Cornwell
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arkin
authors.forename: Cassie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Overstreet
authors.forename: Frederick W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Carver
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grillon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D000465:Algorithms; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013826:Theta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult