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Cited by 957Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Neural network of cognitive emotion regulation—an ALE meta-analysis and MACM analysis

Open access
Kohn, N., Eickhoff, S.B., Scheller, M., Laird, A.R., Fox, P.T., Habel, U.·2014·NeuroImage
DOI 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.11.001PMC PMC4801480
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Abstract

Cognitive regulation of emotions is a fundamental prerequisite for intact social functioning which impacts on both well being and psychopathology. The neural underpinnings of this process have been studied intensively in recent years, without, however, a general consensus. We here quantitatively summarize the published literature on cognitive emotion regulation using activation likelihood estimation in fMRI and PET (23 studies/479 subjects). In addition, we assessed the particular functional contribution of identified regions and their interactions using quantitative functional inference and meta-analytic connectivity modeling, respectively. In doing so, we developed a model for the core brain network involved in emotion regulation of emotional reactivity. According to this, the superior temporal gyrus, angular gyrus and (pre) supplementary motor area should be involved in execution of regulation initiated by frontal areas. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may be related to regulation of cognitive processes such as attention, while the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex may not necessarily reflect the regulatory process per se, but signals salience and therefore the need to regulate. We also identified a cluster in the anterior middle cingulate cortex as a region, which is anatomically and functionally in an ideal position to influence behavior and subcortical structures related to affect generation. Hence this area may play a central, integrative role in emotion regulation. By focusing on regions commonly active across multiple studies, this proposed model should provide important a priori information for the assessment of dysregulated emotion regulation in psychiatric disorders.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper quantitatively integrates fMRI/PET studies of conscious cognitive emotion regulation using activation likelihood estimation, meta-analytic connectivity modeling, and BrainMap functional decoding. It proposes a three-stage network model in which VLPFC supports appraisal/salience detection, DLPFC initiates regulation, and STG, angular gyrus, and pre-SMA execute regulation, with aMCC as a central integrator.

Key findings

  • Across 23 studies, 47 experiments, 479 subjects, and 505 foci, the ALE meta-analysis found eight significant clusters: bilateral inferior frontal gyrus/VLPFC extending into anterior insula, a large SMA/pre-SMA cluster extending into aMCC, bilateral precentral/DLPFC clusters, left middle temporal cortex, and bilateral angular gyri.
  • MACM showed distinct co-activation patterns for these regions: the IFG/VLPFC seed co-activated with insula, middle frontal, precentral, aMCC/SMA, parietal, thalamus, temporal, striatal, and amygdala regions; DLPFC co-activated with aMCC, angular gyri, insula, and left middle frontal gyrus; aMCC and SMA seeds showed broad sensorimotor, insular, parietal, thalamic, and striatal co-activation; angular gyrus co-activated with parietal, cingulate, left IFG, and left SMA; STG co-activated with left IFG/precentral, temporal, SMA, parietal, insular, striatal, and thalamic regions.
  • Functional decoding linked DLPFC to working memory, reasoning, social cognition, and action inhibition rather than emotion processing; VLPFC to language, social cognition, emotion, and action inhibition; aMCC to language, working/explicit memory, and action inhibition; SMA to language and memory; STG to language, social cognition, and audition; and angular gyrus to social cognition, imagery, and deception tasks.
  • The authors propose a three-stage model: VLPFC as a hub for affective evaluation and salience detection, DLPFC for initiating regulation via “cold” cognitive control, STG/angular gyrus/pre-SMA for executing regulation, and aMCC as a mediator integrating these steps.

Methods

  • ALE meta-analysis of fMRI and PET studies selected from BrainMap and manual PubMed/Google Scholar searches; inclusion required whole-brain coverage, standard-space group analysis, no pharmacological treatment or mental/neurological disorder, and antecedent-focused, conscious, cognitive regulation strategies. The final sample comprised 23 studies, 47 experiments, 479 subjects, and 505 foci; Talairach coordinates were converted to MNI.
  • ALE modeled activation foci as Gaussian probability distributions weighted by sample size, with a family-wise error-corrected threshold of p = 0.05.
  • MACM was performed on six volumes of interest from the ALE clusters using BrainMap co-activation searches; functional decoding used BrainMap Behavioral Domain and Paradigm Class metadata with forward and reverse inference, binomial and chi-square tests, and Bonferroni correction at p < .05.

Limitations

  • Stated by the authors: five included studies did not report participants’ mental health status or assessment methods, describing them only as “normal”; a sensitivity analysis excluding these studies did not change the general activation pattern.
  • Stated by the authors: the data cannot establish causal relationships within the network, and the study was not designed to test mediation versus direct-pathway hypotheses.
  • Evident from the text: the meta-analysis aggregates published coordinates and cannot resolve causality; inclusion was restricted to conscious, antecedent-focused, functional regulation strategies in fMRI/PET with whole-brain group analyses, so findings may not generalize to automatic, response-focused, dysfunctional, or clinical populations; functional decoding depends on BrainMap metadata and reverse inference.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.11.001

Cites

107 of 107 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 47 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    MACM for the MCC volume of interest included bilateral insula, bilateral middle frontal (BA 45), bilateral precentral gyrus (BA 44,6), bilateral SMA, bilateral superior parietal lobe, bilateral thalamus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral putamen and pallidum.

    “Co-activation maps for the MCC included bilateral insula, bilateral middle frontal (BA 45) and bilateral precentral gyrus (BA 44,6), bilateral SMA, bilateral superior parietal lobe, bilateral thalamus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral putamen and pallidum (see Fig. 2c).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Paradigm classes recruiting the SMA volume of interest were word generation, phonological discrimination, flanker tasks, mental rotation, n-back, Sternberg, Deception, Stroop and arithmetic tasks.

    “PCs recruiting this area were word generation, phonological discrimination, flanker tasks, mental rotation, n-back, Sternberg, Deception, Stroop and arithmetic tasks.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Functional characterization associated the aMCC volume of interest with behavioral domains related to language, working and explicit memory, and action inhibition.

    “The VOI in the aMCC was associated to BDs related to language, working and explicit memory, as well as action inhibition.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Paradigm classes for the STG volume of interest were theory of mind, covert reading, semantic monitoring and discrimination, passive listening and phonological discrimination.

    “PCs on theory of mind, covert reading, semantic monitoring and discrimination, passive listening and phonological discrimination.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The STG volume of interest was associated with behavioral domains of language (different subcategories), social cognition, and perception: audition.

    “The STG VOI from the MA was associated with BDs language (different subcategories), social cognition, perception: audition”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • May combine two claims. 30
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 11

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of 23 studies (47 experiments, 479 subjects, 505 foci) on cognitive emotion regulation found significant convergent activation in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus extending into bilateral anterior insula, designated the VLPFC volume of interest.

    “ER reliably led to activation in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (right: p. triangularis and orbitalis; BA 44/45; peak MNI: 50/30/−8; 678 voxels, left: p. triangularis, opercularis and orbitalis, BA 44/45; peak MNI: −42/22/−6; 781 voxels), extending into bilateral anterior insula, which we will refer to as VLPFC VOI.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    MACM for the SMA volume of interest was significant for bilateral insula, bilateral middle frontal (BA 45), bilateral precentral gyrus (BA 44,6), bilateral aMCC, bilateral superior parietal lobe, bilateral thalamus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral putamen, pallidum and caudate nucleus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus and bilateral inferior temporal gyrus.

    “Co-activation maps for the SMA were significant for bilateral insula, bilateral middle frontal (BA 45) and bilateral precentral gyrus (BA 44,6), bilateral aMCC, bilateral superior parietal lobe, bilateral thalamus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral putamen, pallidum and caudate nucleus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus and bilateral inferior temporal gyrus (see Fig. 2d).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Paradigm classes associated with the IFG volume of interest were deception tasks, word generation, reading, episodic recall, different monitor and discrimination tasks, and tasks related to nutrition and memory recall.

    “PCs were associated with the IFG during deception tasks, word generation, reading, episodic recall, different monitor and discrimination tasks, and PCs related to nutrition and memory recall.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Meta-analytic connectivity modeling for the IFG volume of interest showed convergent co-activation in bilateral insula, bilateral middle frontal (BA 45), bilateral precentral gyrus (BA 44,6), bilateral aMCC and SMA, bilateral superior parietal lobe, bilateral thalamus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus, bilateral putamen, pallidum and caudate nucleus, left fusiform gyrus, left amygdala and left中间?

    “The IFG VOI from the ER meta-analysis showed convergent co-activation for bilateral insula, bilateral middle frontal (BA 45) and bilateral precentral gyrus (BA 44,6), bilateral aMCC and SMA, bilateral superior parietal lobe, bilateral thalamus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus, bilateral putamen, pallidum and caudate nucleus, left fusiform gyrus, left amygdala and left middle frontal gyrus (see Fig”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The IFG volume of interest was strongly associated with behavioral domains of language, social cognition, emotion, and action inhibition.

    “The IFG was strongly associated with language, social cognition, emotion, and action inhibition.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Paradigm classes for the AG volume of interest were chewing/swallowing, imagined objects or scenes, and deception tasks.

    “PCs on chewing/swallowing, imagined objects or scenes, and deception tasks.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    The localization of the (pre)SMA volume of interest corresponds to both the anterior and posterior cluster of the SMA identified by functional characterization, which were associated with cognitive and executive aspects of motor behavior.

    “The localization of our (pre)SMA VOI corresponds to the localization of both the anterior and posterior cluster of the SMA identified by functional characterization (Eickhoff et al., 2011), which were associated to cognitive and executive aspects of motor behavior, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Eickhoff et al., 2011 source

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    Findingreasoning

    The angular gyrus VOI is linked to social cognition, tasks requiring imagination of scenes or objects, deception tasks, and chewing or swallowing.

    “The AG VOI is associated with social cognition and paradigms in which scenes or objects have to be imagined, as well as deception tasks and chewing or swallowing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The study identified core regions of the brain network involved in regulation of emotional reactivity and provided information on the relative contribution of these areas to stages of the regulatory process.

    “We here identified core regions of the brain network involved in regulation of emotional reactivity and provide information on the relative contribution of these brain areas to the stages of the regulatory process.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The aMCC is strongly involved in monitoring reward response behavior and punishment avoidance.

    “It is strongly involved in monitoring reward response behavior (Haber, 2009b) and punishment avoidance (Vogt, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Haber, 2009b

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    • cites Vogt, 2009

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    Premisecitation

    The VLPFC is anatomically connected to the STG, which processes higher order multi-modal integration and regulates amygdala activity.

    “It is also anatomically connected to the STG (Ongür et al., 2003), which processes higher order multi-modal integration and also regulates amygdala activity (Müller et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Ongür et al., 2003 source

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    • cites Müller et al., 2012 source

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    Interpretationreasoning

    The VLPFC volume of interest may play a central part in emotion processing and seems to play a role in regulatory processes as it is associated with action inhibition.

    “In summary, the VLPFC VOI may play a central part in emotion processing, which is supported by previous meta-analysis and our functional characterization, additionally it seems to play a role in regulatory processes as it is associated to action inhibition, which seems highly plausible given its anatomical position.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The aMCC has been termed a limbic motor control cortex and is involved in regulation of motor output systems for reward approach and punishment avoidance, and in cognitive processes including selections that do not require movement.

    “Thus, the aMCC has been termed a limbic motor control cortex and is involved in regulation of motor output systems for reward approach and punishment avoidance, and also in cognitive processes including selections, which do not require movement and employ the MCC to this end (Vogt, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Vogt, 2009

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The aMCC plays a crucial role in intentional motor control.

    “The aMCC plays a crucial role in intentional motor control (Hoffstaedter et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hoffstaedter et al., 2012

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    Premisecitation

    The VLPFC has direct efferent anatomical connections to the amygdala, while afferent projections from the amygdala most likely reach the VLPFC via the anterior insula.

    “Anatomically, the VLPFC possesses direct efferent anatomical connections to the amygdala, while afferent projections from the amygdala most likely reach the VLPFC via the anterior insula (Ray and Zald, 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ray and Zald, 2012

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    Interpretationcitation

    The aMCC volume of interest is not overrepresented in emotion processing in general, which supports the notion that the dorsal ACC is more strongly associated with cognitive control and reflects the cognitive division of the ACC.

    “It is not overrepresented in emotion processing in general, which supports the notion that the dorsal ACC may more strongly be associated with cognitive control and therefore reflects the “cognitive division” of the ACC (Bush et al., 2000).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bush et al., 2000 source

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    Interpretationreasoning

    Recruitment of both SMA clusters in emotion regulation may reflect crucial involvement of both cognitive and executive aspects and indicate that different subregions of the SMA cluster might be engaged in different stages of emotion regulation.

    “The recruitment of both clusters in emotion regulation may reflect crucial involvement of both cognitive and executive aspects and indicate that different subregions of the SMA cluster might be engaged in different stages of emotion regulation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The angular gyrus is generally recognized as an associative cortex involved in semantic processes, emotional stimuli, episodic memory, mental arithmetic, and self-relevant internal cognitive processes.

    “The angular gyrus is in general recognized as an associative cortex for semantic processes (Seghier et al., 2011), emotional stimuli (Kohn et al., 2011), episodic memory (Mazoyer et al., 2001; Anticevic et al., 2010; Yang et al., 2010), mental arithmetic (Grabner et al., 2009) and self-relevant internal cognitive processes (Andrews-Hanna et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Seghier et al., 2011 source

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    • cites Kohn et al., 2011 source

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    • cites Mazoyer et al., 2001 source

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    Premisecitation

    The angular gyrus has anatomical projections to the anterior midcingulate cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

    “Anatomically, the AG has projections to the aMCC (Vogt, 2009) and DLPFC (Haber, 2009b), which is in line with the functional characteristics as the aMCC as limbic motor control center and the DLPFC as cognitive control center are related to mental imagery and thus AG functionality.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Vogt, 2009

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    • cites Haber, 2009b

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Because all studies in the meta-analysis focus on reconceptualization, the (pre)SMA volume of interest reflects execution of reconceptualization by reformulating mental representations relying on language and memory processing, possibly in the sense of embodied cognition.

    “Because all studies of our meta-analysis focus on reconceptualization (changing the appraisal) we would argue that the (pre)SMA VOI in the meta-analysis reflects the execution of this reconceptualization by reformulating mental representations relying on language and memory processing, possibly also in the sense of embodied cognition (Barsalou, 2008; Niedenthal, 2007; Smith and Semin, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Barsalou, 2008 source

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    • cites Niedenthal, 2007 source

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    • cites Smith and Semin, 2007

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The aMCC receives projections from the parietal cortex and interfaces skeletomotor systems via projections to the spinal cord, striatum, (pre)SMA and other motor cortices.

    “Anatomically, the aMCC receives projections from the parietal cortex and interfaces skeletomotor systems via projections to the spinal cord, striatum, (pre)SMA and other motor cortices”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Vogt, 2009

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    Premisecitation

    The superior temporal gyrus performs higher-order multimodal integrative processes and also affects amygdala activity.

    “It computes higher order multimodal integrative processes and also affects amygdala activity (Müller et al., 2012), which may reflect its association to social cognition.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Müller et al., 2012 source

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    Interpretationreasoning

    In both tool-use planning and affect regulation, a complex set of semantic and motor representations is engaged, leading to an automatized motor procedure or an automatized affect regulation procedure.

    “In both processes a complex set of semantic and motor representations is engaged leading to an automatized motor procedure or an automatized affect regulation procedure.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Subcortical brain structures such as the amygdala and ventral striatum are thought to play a major role in generating emotion.

    “In general, subcortical brain structures, such as the amygdala and the ventral striatum are thought to play a major role in generation of an emotion (Lindquist et al., 2011; Phan et al., 2002; Wager et al., 2003).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Lindquist et al., 2011

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    • cites Phan et al., 2002 source

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    • cites Wager et al., 2003 source

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    Interpretationreasoning

    The superior temporal gyrus may contribute to verbalization of social scenes or mental imagery and may modulate affective arousal through effective connectivity to the amygdala.

    “In summary, the STG may play a role in verbalization of social scenes or mental imagery and additionally is in a position to modulate affective arousal via effective connectivity to the amygdala.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The ventrolateral prefrontal cortex is a detector of salience and signals when to inhibit and what to feel, rather than reflecting the inhibitory process itself.

    “Additionally, there is evidence that the VLPFC is a detector of salience rather signals when to inhibit and what to feel, than reflects the inhibitory process itself (Hampshire et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hampshire et al., 2010 source

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    Interpretationreasoning

    The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is involved in cold regulatory processes, processing information from the VLPFC and relaying it to a brain network involved in emoto-motor control.

    “The anatomical connectivity of the DLPFC and our functional characterization underscore its involvement in “cold” regulatory processes, which may process information from the VLPFC and relay processed information to a brain network involved in (emoto-) motor control.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Eulaminate lateral prefrontal cortices (Brodmann areas 46 and 8) have a laminar connectivity pattern implying feed-forward function, while the orbitofrontal cortex and VLPFC have a pattern implying stronger feed-back functionality.

    “She assumes that eulaminate, lateral prefrontal cortices (mainly Brodmann Area 46 and 8, which strongly overlap to the portion of the DLPFC observed in our meta-analysis) have a laminar connectivity pattern that implies a feed-forward function, while the laminar connectivity pattern of the orbitofrontal cortex and VLPFC implies a stronger involvement in feed-back functionality.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Barbas (2000)

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    Interpretationreasoning

    In depressed patients, the DLPFC did not show such an association, which according to the model may relate to global cognitive deficits rather than deficits in emotion regulation per se.

    “In depressed patients the DLPFC did not show such an association, which according to our model may relate to global cognitive deficits in the patient population, rather than deficits in emotion regulation per se.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    This may in turn influence activity in the ventral striatum and amygdala either directly or via the anterior midcingulate cortex.

    “This may in turn influence activity in the ventral striatum and amygdala either directly or via the aMCC.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study was not designed to test the mediation versus direct pathway hypotheses.

    “Our study is not designed to test these alternative hypotheses, but one can infer from our analyses and the literature, that a highly plausible candidate structure in the direct pathway model would be the VLPFC as it detects salience, is a core structure for appraisal processes (Hampshire et al., 2010; Wager et al., 2008) and would also be in a good position to initiate higher order cognitive proc”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Reduced ACC activation in Borderline patients is explainable by disconnection of relay centers connecting salience detection, assessment/judgments and execution.

    “Similarly, the finding of reduced ACC activation in Borderline patients (Koenigsberg et al., 2009) would according to our model be explainable in terms of disconnection of important relay centers connecting salience detection, assessment/judgments and execution.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Koenigsberg et al., 2009 source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Current findings on brain areas robustly engaged in emotion regulation may provide important a priori information for hypothesis-driven investigation of emotion-regulatory circuits in clinical populations.

    “We would argue, that the current findings on brain areas robustly engaged in emotion regulation may provide important a priori information for the hypothesis-driven investigation of emotion-regulatory circuits in clinical populations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The DLPFC might be related to higher-order cold regulatory processes; based on its anatomical connections it is not in an ideal position to directly regulate emotions and therefore might have a more indirect, initiatory influence.

    “The DLPFC might be related to higher order “cold” regulatory processes; based on its anatomical connections it is not in an ideal position to directly regulate emotions and therefore might have a more indirect, initiatory influence.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Positive amygdala-VLPFC associations negatively predict regulation success, and positive ventral striatum-VLPFC associations positively predict regulation success.

    “This dual role of the VLPFC in emotion regulation may be reflected in positive amygdala-VLPFC associations which negatively predict regulation success and positive VS-VLPFC associations which positively predict regulation success (Wager et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wager et al., 2008 source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Results from the meta-analysis, MACM and functional decoding may aid in investigating psychiatric disease.

    “Results from our meta-analysis, MACM and functional decoding may aid in investigating psychiatric disease.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The STG, angular gyrus and (pre)SMA are involved in execution of regulation initiated by the DLPFC, while the aMCC may serve as a mediator for integrating these steps.

    “The STG, angular gyrus and (pre)SMA are involved in execution of regulation initiated by the DLPFC, while the aMCC may serve as a mediator for integrating these steps.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Emotion evaluation is associated with the VLPFC as core hub, and initiation of regulation with the DLPFC.

    “Emotion evaluation is associated with the VLPFC as core hub, initiation of regulation with the DLPFC.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    A cluster in the aMCC was identified as anatomically and functionally in an ideal position to influence behavior and subcortical structures related to affect generation, and therefore this area may play a central, integratory role in regulation of emotional reactivity.

    “We identified a cluster in the aMCC as a region which is anatomically and functionally in an ideal position to influence behavior and subcortical structures related to affect generation and therefore this area may play a central, integratory role in the regulation of emotional reactivity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
39 of 39

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Subcortical brain areas are involved in signaling affective arousal or excitation.

    “It can therefore be assumed that these brain areas will be involved in signaling affective arousal or excitation (Wager et al., 2008).”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Subcortical areas project affective arousal to the VLPFC via the anterior insula and the aMCC.

    “We assume that subcortical areas project affective arousal to the VLPFC (via the anterior insula and the aMCC).”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Regulation of emotional reactivity is mediated by an influence of cortical networks on subcortical affect generation structures.

    “Our line of argument implicitly assumes regulation of emotional reactivity to be mediated by an influence of (cortical) networks on subcortical affect generation structures.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • The majority of work supports the hypotheses that antecedent automatic emotion regulation strategies produce activation in orbitofrontal cortex, lateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortices, and anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, whereas response-focused strategies cause activation within the subcallosal anterior cingulate and the cerebellum.

    “The majority of work in this area supports these hypotheses (e.g., Dörfel et al., 2014;Frank et al., 2014;Kohn et al., 2014;Lee et al., 2012;Phillips et al., 2008).”

    From Physiological feelings (2019) · cites this paper as Kohn et al., 2014

    Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable, 1 not checked. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The dlPFC is thought to be an important driver of emotion regulation and is hypothesized to be involved in the manipulation of appraisals of stimuli in working memory.

    “The dlPFC is thought to be an important driver of emotion regulation and hypothesized to be involved in the manipulation of appraisals of stimuli in working memory [121–123].”

    From Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [122]

    The Discussion describes the DLPFC as proposed to play an important role in emotion regulation and as involved in working memory. It does not specifically hypothesize that the DLPFC manipulates appraisals of stimuli in working memory; the Process of emotion regulation discussion instead associates appraisal with the VLPFC. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Meta-analyses of cognitive reappraisal alone consistently found increased BOLD signal in the dlPFC, vlPFC, and dmPFC and decreased BOLD signal in the amygdala.

    “Meta-analyses of cognitive reappraisal alone have consistently found increased BOLD signal in the dlPFC, vlPFC, and dmPFC [93, 121, 122] and decreased BOLD signal in the amygdala [93, 121].”

    From Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [122]

    The Results > Meta-analysis passage reports convergent activation in regions the authors label VLPFC and DLPFC. But the Introduction says reappraisal studies formed a major part of a broader emotion-regulation meta-analysis, not a reappraisal-only analysis. The reported activation clusters do not include dmPFC or an amygdala decrease; the Discussion > Process of emotion regulation mentions an amygdala decrease from another study, not as this meta-analysis’s finding. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • These regions are involved in face processing and attractiveness rating, which is also related to emotion processing where both regions (anterior insula, ACC) play a central role.

    “In addition, these regions are involved in face processing ( Hahn and Perrett, 2014 ) and attractiveness rating, which is also related to emotion processing where both regions (e.g., anterior insula, ACC) play a central role ( Kohn et al., 2014 ).”

    From Male brain processing of the body odor of ovulating women compared to that of pregnant women (2021) · cites this paper as Kohn et al., 2014

    The Results (Meta-analysis; page unavailable) identify activation extending into the anterior insula and anterior middle cingulate cortex during emotion regulation. The Discussion links the anterior insula to emotion appraisal, but says the anterior middle cingulate cortex is “not overrepresented in emotion processing in general.” Thus, the claim overstates the paper’s support for both regions playing a central role in emotion processing broadly. The separate face-processing citation is not assessed here. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Successful cognitive reappraisal in healthy individuals is accompanied by increased activation in prefrontal areas, which exert an inhibitory influence on limbic structures such as the bilateral amygdala and thus modulate excessive bottom-up emotional responses.

    “Neuroimaging studies in healthy individuals investigating neural activation patterns during emotion regulation have demonstrated that successful cognitive reappraisal is accompanied by increased activation in prefrontal areas, which exert an inhibitory influence on limbic structures such as the bilateral amygdala and thus modulate excessive bottom-up emotional responses (Kohn et al., 2014, Ochsner”

    From Rt-fMRI neurofeedback-guided cognitive reappraisal training modulates amygdala responsivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (2020) · cites this paper as Kohn et al., 2014

    Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Meta-analysis cluster count changes from eight to six

    Minor

    The methods say the six volumes of interest reflect six significant meta-analysis clusters, but the results report eight significant clusters. The text does not explain the change in count.

  • Temporal region changes designation between analyses

    Minor

    The results identify the temporal activation focus as middle temporal cortex, but the subsequent analysis identifies a superior temporal gyrus volume of interest derived from the meta-analysis. No superior temporal gyrus cluster is identified in the reported meta-analysis results.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Haber, 2009, Chapter 1 — anatomy and connectivity of the reward circuit, 1

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Kohn, N., Eickhoff, S. B., Scheller, M., Laird, A. R., Fox, P. T., & Habel, U.
Affiliations
  • Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (DE)
  • Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE)
  • Florida International University (US)
  • The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center (US)
Corresponding author
Kohn, N.
ORCID
Venue
NeuroImage
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-02
Volume
87
Pages
345-355
ISSN
1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.11.001
PMC
PMC4801480
OpenAlex
W2088242772
Cited by
956
References
106
Citations by year
2026: 65 · 2025: 83 · 2024: 99 · 2023: 90 · 2022: 102 · 2021: 106 · 2020: 80 · 2019: 76 · 2018: 78 · 2017: 50 · 2016: 52 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 1
FWCI
3.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2015-05-01)
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • NeuroImage (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University (138/09)
  • German Research Foundation
  • IZKF Aachen
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH074457)
  • Helmholtz Alliance on Systems Biology
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
cognitive emotion regulation, neural network model, emotional reactivity, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area, angular gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, meta-analytic connectivity modeling, activation likelihood estimation, mental illness
MeSH terms
Brain, Cognition, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Nerve Net, Likelihood Functions

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-05.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-05.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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