Cited by 100Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesPain Mechanisms and TreatmentsNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Common representation of pain and negative emotion in the midbrain periaqueductal gray

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Buhle, Jason T., Kober, Hedy, Ochsner, Kevin N., Mende-Siedlecki, Peter, Weber, Jochen, Hughes, Brent L., Kross, Ethan, Atlas, Lauren Y. +2 more·2013·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Abstract

Human neuroimaging offers a powerful way to connect animal and human research on emotion, with profound implications for psychological science. However, the gulf between animal and human studies remains a formidable obstacle: human studies typically focus on the cortex and a few subcortical regions such as the amygdala, whereas deeper structures such as the brainstem periaqueductal gray (PAG) play a key role in animal models. Here, we directly assessed the role of PAG in human affect by interleaving in a single fMRI session two conditions known to elicit strong emotional responses--physical pain and negative image viewing. Negative affect and PAG activity increased in both conditions. We next examined eight independent data sets, half featuring pain stimulation and half negative image viewing. In sum, these data sets comprised 198 additional participants. We found increased activity in PAG in all eight studies. Taken together, these findings suggest PAG is a key component of human affective responses.

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Crossref · 10.1093/scan/nss038

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  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies performed while negatively arousing (aversive) stimuli, including pictures of mutilation and injury in humans, are being processed provide clear evidence of PAG activation and suggest increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and PAG, coupled with a bradycardic effect.

    “Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies—performed while negatively arousing (aversive) stimuli, including pictures of mutilation and injury in humans, are being processed—provide clear evidence of PAG activation82,83 and suggest increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and PAG, coupled with a bradycardic effect.84”

    From Fear and the Defense Cascade (2015) · cites this paper as [82]

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Authors
Buhle, J. T., Kober, H., Ochsner, K. N., Mende-Siedlecki, P., Weber, J., Hughes, B. L., Kross, E., Atlas, L. Y., McRae, K., & Wager, T. D.
Affiliations
University of Denver (US)
Venue
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
Published
2012-03-24
Volume
8
Issue
6
Pages
609-616
ISSN
  • 1749-5016 (ISSN-L)
  • 1749-5024
OpenAlex
W2151678102
Cited by
100
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 1
FWCI
4.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (0631637)
  • Mind and Life Institute
  • National Institutes of Health (MH076136, MH076137)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH076136, R01MH076137, R01MH076136, MH076137)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA022541, RC1DA028608, DA-022541, R01DA027794)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
periaqueductal gray, pain, negative emotions, negative affect, brainstem, emotional responses, emotional processing
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Brain Mapping, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Oxygen, Pain, Periaqueductal Gray, Physical Stimulation, Time Factors, Reproducibility of Results, Mood Disorders, Young Adult

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