Cited by 828Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesMemory and Neural MechanismsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Neocortical modulation of the amygdala response to fearful stimuli

Hariri, Ahmad R, Mattay, Venkata S, Tessitore, Alessandro, Fera, Francesco, Weinberger, Daniel R·2003·Biological Psychiatry

Abstract

Background The cortical circuitry involved in conscious cognitive processes and the subcortical circuitry involved in fear responses have been extensively studied with neuroimaging, but their interactions remain largely unexplored. A recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study demonstrated that the engagement of the right prefrontal cortex during the cognitive evaluation of angry and fearful facial expressions is associated with an attenuation of the response of the amygdala to these same stimuli, providing evidence for a functional neural network for emotional regulation.Methods In the current study, we have explored the generalizability of this functional network by using threatening and fearful non-face stimuli derived from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), as well as the influence of this network on peripheral autonomic responses.Results Similar to the earlier findings with facial expressions, blood oxygen level dependent fMRI revealed that whereas perceptual processing of IAPS stimuli was associated with a bilateral amygdala response, cognitive evaluation of these same stimuli was associated with attenuation of this amygdala response and a correlated increase in response of the right prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex. Moreover, this pattern was reflected in changes in skin conductance.Conclusions The current results further implicate the importance of neocortical regions, including the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices, in regulating emotional responses mediated by the amygdala through conscious evaluation and appraisal.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0006-3223(02)01786-9

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  • The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has a crucial role within a general neural fear circuit and within Pavlovian fear conditioning.

    “previous findings showing that the ACC has a crucial role within a general neural fear circuit (Hariri et al, 2003) as well as within the framework of Pavlovian fear conditioning (see reviews by Milad et al, 2007;Sehlmeyer et al, 2009).”

    From Oxytocin Facilitates Pavlovian Fear Learning in Males (2016) · cites this paper as Hariri et al, 2003

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Authors
Hariri, A. R., Mattay, V. S., Tessitore, A., Fera, F., & Weinberger, D. R.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Hariri, Ahmad R
Venue
Biological Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2003-03
Volume
53
Issue
6
Pages
494-501
ISSN
0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2016660677
Cited by
828
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 35 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 50 · 2012: 52
FWCI
19.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
amygdala, fear, emotion regulation, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, threat appraisal, skin conductance, autonomic responses, International Affective Picture System, facial expressions
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Amygdala, Cognition, Equipment Design, Fear, Female, Galvanic Skin Response, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Oxygen, Photic Stimulation, Prefrontal Cortex

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