title: Gender differences in neural-behavioral response to self-observation during a novel fMRI social stress task.
abstract: The neural correlates of response to psychosocial stress and gender differences therein are difficult to model experimentally as this type of stressor is difficult to induce in a brain imaging environment. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a behavioral paradigm that reliably induces moderate levels of stress was thus modified for the MRI environment. To determine the neurobehavioral basis of gender differences in response to observing oneself under social evaluative stress, 26 subjects (14 females) performed the TSST while being videotaped. During fMRI scanning, subjects were shown alternating video clips of two
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SELF or a same-sex OTHER performing the TSST. Subjects rated their stress level immediately after the video clips. GENDER differences in the [SELF-OTHER] contrast were analyzed. There was a GENDER×CONDITION interaction such that only women reported increased subjective stress during video feedback of their TSST session. A whole brain analysis (SELF vs. OTHER) showed activation in the bilateral insula, inferior, middle and superior frontal gyri. Greater recruitment was seen among males in some of these same areas in the context of significantly lower stress ratings. Activation of areas involved in inhibitory control and sensory awareness might contribute to the significantly lower stress ratings in males. Understanding these gender differences is relevant to disorders of stress and self-concept.
authors: Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States. Electronic address: leemary@mail.nih.gov.
authors: Mary R
authors: MR
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States.
authors: Kelsey
authors: K
authors: Cacic
authors: Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
authors: Catherine H
authors: CH
authors: Demers
authors: Nicotine Psychopharmacology Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
authors: Maleeha
authors: M
authors: Haroon
authors: Nicotine Psychopharmacology Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Heishman
authors: Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
authors: Daniel W
authors: DW
authors: Hommer
authors: Treatment Section, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: Epstein
authors: Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: Ross
authors: Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
authors: Elliot A
authors: EA
authors: Stein
authors: Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Heilig
authors: Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
authors: Betty Jo
authors: BJ
authors: Salmeron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: Imaging; Social function; Social threat; Stress; Trier Social Stress Test; fMRI