0000000000481794
AUTHOR
Ahmad R. Hariri
Dopamine in amygdala gates limbic processing of aversive stimuli in humans
Dopamine is known to contribute to the amygdala-mediated aversive response, where increased dopamine release can augment amygdala function. Combining fMRI and PET imaging techniques, Kienast et al. present findings that suggest a functional link between anxiety temperament, dopamine storage capacity and emotional processing in the amygdala. Dopamine is released under stress and modulates processing of aversive stimuli. We found that dopamine storage capacity in human amygdala, measured with 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA positron emission tomography, was positively correlated with functional magnetic resonance imaging blood oxygen level–dependent signal changes in amygdala and dorsal anterior cingula…
Building Bridges through Science
WOS: 000415310800007 PubMed ID: 29144972 Science is ideally suited to connect people from different cultures and thereby foster mutual understanding. To promote international life science collaboration, we have launched "The Science Bridge'' initiative. Our current project focuses on partnership between Western and Middle Eastern neuroscience communities. Medical Research Council [MC_UP_1202/5]
Dopamine-modulated aversive emotion processing fails in alcohol-dependent patients.
Negative mood states after alco- hol detoxifi cation may enhance the relapse risk. As recently shown in healthy volunteers, dopamine storage capacity ( V d ) in the left amy- gdala was positively correlated with functional activation in the left amygdala and anterior cin- gulate cortex (ACC) during an emotional task; high functional connectivity between the amy- gdala and the ACC, a region important for emo- tion regulation, was associated with low trait anxiety. Based on these fi ndings, we now tested whether detoxifi ed alcohol-dependent patients have a disrupted modulation of the anterior cin- gulate cortex activation in response to aversive stimuli by amygdala dopamine. Furthermore, we …