Intrinsic Amygdala–Cortical Functional Connectivity Predicts Social Network Size in Humans
Open accessAbstract
Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from two independent samples of healthy adults, we parsed the amygdala's intrinsic connectivity into three partially distinct large-scale networks that strongly resemble the known anatomical organization of amygdala connectivity in rodents and monkeys. Moreover, in a third independent sample, we discovered that people who fostered and maintained larger and more complex social networks not only had larger amygdala volumes, but also amygdalae with stronger intrinsic connectivity within two of these networks: one putatively subserving perceptual abilities and one subserving affiliative behaviors. Our findings were anatomically specific to amygdalar circuitry in that individual differences in social network size and complexity could not be explained by the strength of intrinsic connectivity between nodes within two networks that do not typically involve the amygdala (i.e., the mentalizing and mirror networks), and were behaviorally specific in that amygdala connectivity did not correlate with other self-report measures of sociality.
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Claims the paper makes
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- Findingown data
In a third independent sample, people with larger and more complex social networks had larger amygdala volumes.
“in a third independent sample, we discovered that people who fostered and maintained larger and more complex social networks not only had larger amygdala volumes, but also amygdalae with stronger intrinsic connectivity within two of these networks”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Social network complexity and diversity are strongly correlated with social network size.
“both social network complexity and diversity were strongly correlated with social network size”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
There is distinct connectivity between three major subdivisions of the amygdala and limbic cortical structures, ventral striatum, hypothalamus, and brainstem.
“we found distinct connectivity between three major subdivisions of the amygdala and limbic cortical structures as well as the ventral striatum, hypothalamus, and brainstem”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Amygdala connectivity within the social aversion network does not predict social network size.
“Individual differences in the strength of the amygdala’s connectivity within the network supporting social aversion did not predict differences in social network size”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
People with larger social networks have stronger connectivity between the ventrolateral amygdala and the STS and fusiform gyrus within the social perception network.
“people with larger social networks had stronger connectivity between the ventrolateral amygdala and the STS and fusiform gyrus within the network supporting social perception”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Findingown data
Intrinsic connectivity within the mentalizing and mirror networks is not related to social network size or complexity.
“Intrinsic connectivity within two networks important for social cognition, but not involving the amygdala – the mentalizing and mirror networks – was not related to either social network size or complexity”
- Also stated in: § Amygdala connectivity and social network size · plain
“we found no link between social network characteristics and intrinsic connectivity strength in the mentalizing and mirror networks”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Amygdala connectivity and social network size · plain
- Findingown data
Amygdala volume predicts 15% of the variance in social network size.
“(which predicted 15% of the variance in social network size)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The connectionally-defined amygdala subregions strongly resemble the subregions predicted from cytoarchitectonically-defined nuclear groups.
“These connectionally-defined amygdala subregions strongly resemble the subregions of the amygdala depicted in Figure 1a that we predicted based on cytoarchitectonically-defined nuclear groups of the amygdala (Figure 4).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Seeds within the three subregions produced large-scale connectivity maps in the replication sample that were reliable with those in the discovery sample.
“Seeds within these three subregions produced large-scale connectivity maps in the replication sample that were reliable with those identified within the discovery sample (Figure 6c and d).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
These three networks largely resemble the hypothesized networks derived from animal tract-tracing studies and human task-related fMRI studies.
“these networks largely resemble the hypothesized networks derived from animal tract-tracing studies and human task-related fMRI studies (Figure 1b).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
People with larger social networks have stronger connectivity between the medial amygdala and the vmPFC within the social affiliation network.
“They also had stronger connectivity between the medial amygdala and the vmPFC within the network supporting social affiliation”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Spherical seed ROIs within each amygdala subregion delineated partially distinct large-scale intrinsic functional connectivity maps for networks supporting social perception, affiliation, and aversion.
“Using spherical seed ROIs placed within each amygdala subregion (Figure 5a), we next delineated partially distinct large-scale intrinsic functional connectivity maps (Figure 5b-d) for a network supporting social perception, a network supporting social affiliation, and a network supporting social aversion”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The amygdala's intrinsic connectivity can be parsed into three partially-distinct large-scale networks.
“we parsed the amygdala’s intrinsic connectivity into three partially-distinct large-scale networks”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The medial amygdala subregion showed strongest connectivity with limbic areas important for affiliative behaviors including vmPFC, subgenual and rostral ACC, ventromedial striatum (nucleus accumbens), and ventromedial hypothalamus.
“The medial amygdala subregion showed strongest connectivity with limbic areas important for affiliative behaviors including the vmPFC and neighboring subgenual and rostral ACC, the ventromedial striatum localized largely in the nucleus accumbens, and the ventromedial hypothalamus.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
All three amygdala subregions and networks were replicated in the independent replication sample.
“We replicated all three amygdala subregions and networks in our independent replication sample.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The dorsal amygdala subregion showed strongest connectivity with areas important for aversive behaviors including cACC, insula and somatosensory operculum, ventrolateral striatum (putamen), caudolateral hypothalamus, thalamus, and brainstem.
“Finally, the dorsal amygdala subregion showed strongest connectivity with areas important for aversive behaviors including the cACC, the insula and somatosensory operculum, the ventrolateral striatum localized in the putamen, the caudolateral hypothalamus, and regions in the thalamus and brainstem.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Similar patterns of results were found for social network complexity and diversity as for social network size.
“We found similar patterns of results for individual differences in the complexity participants’ social networks (i.e., the number of groups in which participants have at least four network members) and the diversity of their networks (i.e., the number of roles participants play within their networks)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The association between social network size/complexity and amygdala connectivity was anatomically specific: it could not be explained by connectivity strength within the mentalizing and mirror networks, which do not typically involve the amygdala.
“Our findings were anatomically specific to amygdalar circuitry in that individual differences in social network size and complexity could not be explained by the strength of intrinsic connectivity between nodes within two networks that do not typically involve the amygdala (i.e., the mentalizing and mirror networks)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The mentalizing and mirror networks do not typically involve the amygdala.
- Findingown data
The three initial cortical seed regions identified clusters within the amygdala that were highly similar to those in the discovery sample.
“The three initial cortical seed regions (lOFC, vmPFC, cACC) identified clusters of voxels within the amygdala that were highly similar to those identified within our discovery sample (Figure 6a and b).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Stronger intrinsic amygdala connectivity within the networks supporting social perception and affiliation predicts larger social network size, over and above amygdala volume.
“As hypothesized, individual differences in the strength of connectivity within the networks supporting social perception and affiliation predicted social network size over and above variations in amygdala volume”
- Also stated in: § Experiment 2. Amygdala connectivity and social network size · boosted
“The results demonstrated that participants with stronger amygdala connectivity within these networks had larger social networks relative to those individuals with weaker connectivity within these networks”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Experiment 2. Amygdala connectivity and social network size · boosted
- Findingown data
The connectional analysis using three cortical ROIs revealed three voxel clusters within the amygdala.
“As predicted, using the three cortical ROIs as seed regions, the connectional analysis revealed three voxel clusters within the amygdala (Figure 3b).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The ventrolateral amygdala subregion showed strongest connectivity with perceptual areas including the fusiform gyrus, ventromedial temporal cortex extending to the pole, rostral STS, and caudal, medial, and lateral OFC.
“As predicted, the ventrolateral amygdala subregion showed strongest connectivity with areas important for perceptual processes including the fusiform gyrus and neighboring areas of the ventromedial temporal cortex extending to the pole, as well as the rostral STS, and caudal, medial, and lateral OFC.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The link between intrinsic connectivity and social network size/complexity was anatomically specific to corticolimbic networks including the amygdala.
“the link between intrinsic connectivity and social network size/complexity was anatomically specific to corticolimbic networks including the amygdala”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The mentalizing and mirror networks do not routinely include the amygdala or other affective circuitry.
- Findingown data
Humans with amygdalae more strongly connected to brain regions important for social perception and affiliation also have larger and more complex social networks.
“Humans with amygdalae that are more strongly connected to brain regions important for social perception and affiliation also have larger and more complex social networks”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Individuals with larger social networks have more grey matter in several other brain regions implicated in adaptive social behaviors, including subgenual ACC, vmPFC, OFC, STS, TP, and frontal pole.
“individuals with larger social networks also have more grey matter in other brain regions implicated in adaptive social behaviors such as the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (Bickart et al., 2011), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) (Lewis et al., 2011), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) (Sallet et al., 2011; Powell et al., 2012) superior temporal sulcus”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Bickart et al., 2011
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- cites Lewis et al., 2011
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- cites Sallet et al., 2011
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- Premisecitation
The dorsal amygdala sector contains nuclei that share anatomical connections with interoceptive, pain-sensitive areas of the cACC, insula, ventrolateral striatum, hypothalamus, and brainstem.
“the dorsal sector of the amygdala, which contains nuclei that share anatomical connections with interoceptive, pain-sensitive areas of the caudal ACC (cACC), insula, and ventrolateral striatum, hypothalamus, and brainstem (Mufson et al., 1981; McDonald, 1987, 1991b, a; Fudge et al., 2002; Stefanacci and Amaral, 2002).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Mufson et al., 1981
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- cites McDonald, 1987
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- cites Fudge et al., 2002
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- Interpretationcitation
The overall topography of the three amygdala-based networks identified in this study converges with and builds on previous human resting-state functional connectivity studies of the amygdala.
“The overall topography of the three amygdala-based networks identified here converges with and builds on previous human resting-state functional connectivity studies of the amygdala”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Roy et al., 2009
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- cites Kim et al., 2010
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- cites van Marle et al., 2010
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- Premisenone given
No study before this one had investigated whether people with larger social networks possess stronger connectivity between brain regions subserving adaptive social behaviors.
“To date, no study has yet investigated whether people with larger social networks possess stronger connectivity between brain regions subserving adaptive social behaviors”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sallet et al. (2011)
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- Premisecitation
The medial amygdala sector contains nuclei that share anatomical connections with mesolimbic, reward-related areas of the vmPFC, medial temporal lobe, ventromedial striatum, and hypothalamus.
“the medial sector of the amygdala, which contains nuclei that share anatomical connections with mesolimbic, reward-related areas of the vmPFC, medial temporal lobe, and ventromedial”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites McDonald, 1987
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- cites Kunishio and Haber, 1994
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- cites Carmichael and Price, 1996
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- Premisecitation
The ventrolateral amygdala sector contains nuclei that share anatomical connections with sensory association areas of the temporal and orbitofrontal cortices.
“the ventrolateral sector of the amygdala, which contains nuclei that share anatomical connections with sensory association areas of the temporal and orbitofrontal cortices (Aggleton et al., 1980; Barbas and De Olmos, 1990; Carmichael and Price, 1995; Ghashghaei and Barbas, 2002; Hoistad and Barbas, 2008).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Aggleton et al., 1980
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- cites Barbas and De Olmos, 1990
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- cites Carmichael and Price, 1995
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- Premisecitation
Across species, primates living in larger social groupings have larger amygdalae.
“across species, primates living in larger social groupings also have larger amygdalae (Barton and Aggleton, 2000; Barton, 2006).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Barton and Aggleton, 2000
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- cites Barton, 2006
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- Interpretationcitation
The conclusion that brain structure changes with social experience is not firm because the monkeys were not randomly assigned to cages for living groups of different sizes.
“although this conclusion is not firm because the monkeys were not randomly assigned to cages for living groups of different sizes”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sallet et al., 2011
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- Study design and conductreasoning
The design of the present investigation and all similar human studies to date precludes causal inferences.
“A limitation in the present investigation and all similar human studies to date is that their design precludes causal inferences”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The dorsal amygdala, associated with the aversion network, might not be directly relevant to social network size or complexity.
“This finding suggests that the dorsal amygdala (associated with the aversion network, putatively motivating decisions about who to avoid, punish, or reject) might not be directly relevant to social network size or complexity”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The dorsal amygdala is associated with the aversion network and putatively motivates decisions about who to avoid, punish, or reject.
- Premisecitation
People who place a higher premium on connecting with others, or exhibit a heightened propensity to connect, tend to have larger social networks.
“people who place a higher premium on connecting with others, or exhibit a heightened “propensity to connect”, tend to have larger social networks”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Totterdell et al., 2008
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- Interpretationown data
The size and complexity of a person's social network depends more on corticolimbic circuitry important for affective processing than on corticocortical networks with more limited relevance for affective processing.
“the size and complexity of a person’s social network depends more on corticolimbic circuitry that is important for affective processing (Barrett and Bar, 2009)– which in part evaluates the salience of signals from other people (Seeley et al., 2007)– than on corticocortical networks that have more limited relevance for affective processing”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Barrett and Bar, 2009
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- cites Seeley et al., 2007
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- May combine two claims. 18
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 26
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataResting-state fMRI data from two independent samples of healthy adults show that the amygdala's intrinsic connectivity can be divided into three partially distinct large-scale networks that closely resemble the known anatomical organization of amygdala connectivity in rodents and monkeys.
“Using resting-state functional MRI data from two independent samples of healthy adults, we parsed the amygdala’s intrinsic connectivity into three partially-distinct large-scale networks that strongly resemble the known anatomical organization of amygdala connectivity in rodents and monkeys.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe eta2 coefficients for similarity between discovery and replication connectivity maps were 0.88 for lateral, 0.82 for medial, and 0.86 for dorsal amygdala seeds.
“The eta2 coefficients were 0.88, 0.82, and 0.86 for lateral, medial, and dorsal amygdala seeds, respectively.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataAmygdala connectivity did not correlate with other self-report measures of sociality, indicating behavioral specificity.
“and were behaviorally specific in that amygdala connectivity did not correlate with other self-report measures of sociality.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe strongest connectivity was between lOFC and ventrolateral amygdala, vmPFC and medial amygdala, and cACC and dorsal amygdala.
“As predicted, we found the strongest connectivity between the lOFC and the ventrolateral amygdala, the vmPFC and the medial amygdala, and the cACC with the dorsal amygdala.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataStronger amygdala connectivity within the social perception and affiliation networks each independently contributes to larger social network size, along with amygdala volume, predicting 41% of the variance.
“we found that stronger amygdala connectivity within the networks supporting social perception and affiliation each contributed independently to larger social network size (along with amygdala volume), predicting a total of 41% of its variance”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataIn a third independent sample, people with larger and more complex social networks had stronger intrinsic connectivity within two amygdala networks, one thought to support perceptual abilities and one to support affiliative behaviors.
“in a third independent sample, we discovered that people who fostered and maintained larger and more complex social networks not only had larger amygdala volumes, but also amygdalae with stronger intrinsic connectivity within two of these networks”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataIntrinsic amygdala connectivity is not related to other self-report measures of sociality, perceived social support, or life satisfaction.
“Intrinsic amygdala connectivity was not related to other self-report measures of sociality, perceived social support or life satisfaction”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataPeople who fostered and maintained larger and more complex social networks had larger amygdala volumes and stronger intrinsic connectivity between the amygdala and regions implicated in perceptual and affiliative, but not avoidant, aspects of social cognition.
“people who fostered and maintained larger and more complex social networks not only had larger amygdala volumes, but also had stronger intrinsic connectivity between the amygdala and regions of the brain implicated in perceptual and affiliative, but not avoidant, aspects of social cognition”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationPrior work from the authors' laboratory found that individuals with larger amygdala volumes have larger and more complex social networks.
“In 2011, our laboratory demonstrated that individuals with larger amygdala volumes have larger and more complex social networks (Bickart et al., 2011).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bickart et al., 2011
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PremisecitationResting-state intrinsic connectivity reflects functional properties of the brain that relate to individual differences in abilities and behaviors.
“resting-state intrinsic connectivity reflects functional properties of the brain that relate to individual differences in a variety of abilities and behaviors”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Fox et al., 2007
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- cites Seeley et al., 2007
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- cites van Marle et al., 2010
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Study design and conductcitationThe Social Provisions Scale assesses perceived availability of social support based on participants' views of their current relationships.
“We used the Social Provisions Scale (Russell et al., 1984) to assess perceived availability of social support based on participants’ views of their current relationships.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Russell et al., 1984
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Study design and conductown dataAmygdala parcellation results were virtually equivalent when using 2mm and 4mm smoothing kernels compared with the 6mm kernel.
“Because both kernels produced virtually equivalent results to the data smoothed with a 6mm kernel, we only present the latter results.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationIntrinsic connectivity provides a basis for understanding the large-scale anatomic organization of brain networks.
“Intrinsic connectivity provides a basis for understanding the large-scale anatomic organization of brain networks (Fox and Raichle, 2007)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Fox and Raichle, 2007
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Study design and conductcitationThe Satisfaction with Life Scale assesses participants' global life satisfaction.
“We used the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985) to assess participants’ global life satisfaction.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Diener et al., 1985
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Study design and conductown dataOne female participant was excluded from brain-behavior analyses because her computed social network size was 3 standard deviations above the group mean.
“One female participant was excluded from brain-behavior analyses because her computed social network size was 3 standard deviations greater than the group mean.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe topography of resting-state functional connectivity corresponds to anatomical connectivity in monkeys.
“prior work that directly demonstrated a correspondence between the topography of resting-state functional connectivity and anatomical connectivity in monkeys”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Vincent et al., 2007
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PremisecitationAmygdala grey matter seems to increase in monkeys housed in larger social groups.
“seems to increase in monkeys housed in larger social groups (Sallet et al., 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sallet et al., 2011
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Study design and conductown dataIn this study, amygdala segmentation from the automated algorithm was manually verified by a trained operator blind to the hypothesis, and no adjustments were needed.
“A trained operator, blind to the hypothesis, manually inspected the results of the automated segmentation. In the present study, no adjustments, modifications, or edits were made; the results of the automated segmentation were verified as accurate without”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationIndividual differences in intrinsic connectivity strength within certain networks predict individual differences in motor function, memory, executive function, and affect.
“individual differences in intrinsic connectivity strength within certain networks predicts individual differences in motor function (Fox et al., 2007), memory (Wang et al., 2010), executive function (Seeley et al., 2007), and affect (Seeley et al., 2007; van Marle et al., 2010; Touroutoglou et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Fox et al., 2007
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- cites Wang et al., 2010
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- cites Seeley et al., 2007
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Study design and conductcitationThe automated FreeSurfer segmentation procedure for amygdala volume is comparable in accuracy to manual labeling and is reliable across sessions within the same scanner.
“This automated segmentation procedure has been widely used in volumetric studies and was shown to be comparable in accuracy to that of manual labeling (Fischl et al., 2002) and is reliable across sessions within the same scanner (Jovicich et al., 2009).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Fischl et al., 2002
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- cites Jovicich et al., 2009
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PremisecitationAmygdala grey matter density is correlated with both online and real-world social network size.
“the amygdala’s grey matter density is correlated with both online and real-world social network size (Kanai et al., 2011)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Kanai et al., 2011
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Study design and conductown dataUsing larger subregions of the amygdala as seeds produced virtually equivalent connectivity maps to those from smaller spherical seeds.
“We also analyzed the data using the larger subregions of the amygdala as seeds, and found that this method produces virtually equivalent maps (data not shown) to that of the smaller spherical seeds”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe three cortical seed regions (lOFC, vmPFC, cACC) are each heavily interconnected with one of the amygdala's subregions and with other regions within each respective network.
“We chose these areas because they are each heavily interconnected with one of the amygdala’s subregions and other regions within each respective network (Barbas et al., 2010; Haber and Knutson, 2010; Price and Drevets, 2010).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Barbas et al., 2010
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- cites Haber and Knutson, 2010
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- cites Price and Drevets, 2010
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InterpretationreasoningPeople with stronger intrinsic amygdala connectivity within the perception network, particularly with the STS and fusiform gyrus, might be better at detecting and decoding social cues and thus better able to navigate social interactions.
“our findings suggest that people with stronger intrinsic amygdala connectivity within the perception network, particularly with the STS and fusiform gyrus, might be better at detecting and decoding the meaning of these social cues and thus better able to navigate the dynamic and often-ambiguous nature of social interactions with more people in more social contexts”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationcitationThe amygdala's role in social cognition and anxiety might be separable.
“suggesting that the amygdala’s role in social cognition and anxiety might be separable”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationEnhanced amygdala activity is linked to increased visual acuity.
“enhanced amygdala activity is linked to increased visual acuity”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Lim et al., 2009
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PremisecitationThe amygdala plays a modulatory role within the social perception network, capable of enhancing neural responses in visual areas and perceptual ability for affect-laden stimuli.
“the amygdala plays a modulatory role within this network, capable of enhancing neural responses in visual areas and perceptual ability for affect-laden stimuli”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Duncan and Barrett, 2007
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- cites Pessoa, 2011
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PremisecitationThe magnitude of this reduction correlates with the degree of amygdalar damage.
“The magnitude of this reduction correlates with the degree of amygdalar damage”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Vuilleumier et al., 2004
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InterpretationcitationOur network and region-level findings for the social perception network are consistent with prior work implicating regions in processing social cues.
“Our network and region-level findings for the network supporting social perception are consistent with a growing body of neuroimaging and neuropsychological work that implicate regions within this network in processing social cues”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Morris et al., 1996
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- cites Phelps et al., 2000
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- cites Winston et al., 2002
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PremisecitationBonobos, characterized by their cooperative social nature, had larger tracts measured with diffusion-tensor imaging between the amygdala and the vmPFC than chimpanzees.
“a recent study found that bonobos, characterized by their cooperative social nature, had larger tracts measured with diffusion-tensor imaging between the amygdala and the vmPFC than chimpanzees who are a more aggressive primate species”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Rilling et al., 2011
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PremisecitationA recent study in monkeys suggests that brain structure changes with social experience.
“A recent study in monkeys suggests that brain structure changes with social experience”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sallet et al., 2011
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InterpretationreasoningMore connected individuals might be better equipped to perceive social cues like facial expression and be more motivated to or receive more reward from responding to these cues in a manner that promotes social affiliation.
“More connected individuals might be better equipped to perceive social cues like facial expression and be more motivated to or receive more reward from responding to these cues in a manner that promotes social affiliation”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationStronger intrinsic connectivity between the amygdala and aversion network regions has been observed in healthy participants in the acute aftermath of stress induction.
“Stronger intrinsic connectivity between the amygdala and regions in this network has been recently observed in healthy participants in the acute aftermath of stress induction”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites van Marle et al., 2010
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PremisecitationMonkeys housed with larger versus smaller cohorts had stronger intrinsic connectivity between the STS and ACC; amygdala connectivity was not reported in that study.
“Sallet et al. (2011) did report that monkeys housed with larger (versus smaller) cohorts had stronger intrinsic connectivity between the STS and ACC; connectivity of the amygdala was not reported in that study”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sallet et al. (2011)
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PremisecitationThe normal enhancement of fMRI signal in the fusiform gyrus and STS to affective facial expressions is reduced in amygdala-damaged patients compared to controls.
“the normal enhancement of fMRI signal in the fusiform gyrus and STS to affective facial expressions is reduced in amygdala-damaged patients compared to controls”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Vuilleumier et al., 2004
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InterpretationreasoningPeople with enhanced functional connectivity between the amygdala and the social affiliation circuitry, particularly the vmPFC, might derive more value from connecting with others, which would motivate them to form and maintain more social relationships.
“our findings suggest that people with enhanced functional connectivity between the amygdala and this circuitry, particularly the vmPFC, might derive more value from connecting with others, which would motivate them to form and maintain more social relationships”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationEnhanced amygdala activity is linked to greater visual cortex activation including area V1.
“greater visual cortex activation including area V1”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Padmala and Pessoa, 2008
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The paper relies on this without support.
The mentalizing and mirror networks do not typically involve the amygdala.
“two networks that do not typically involve the amygdala (i.e., the mentalizing and mirror networks)”
The paper relies on this without support.
The mentalizing and mirror networks do not routinely include the amygdala or other affective circuitry.
“the mentalizing and mirror networks that have been implicated in social cognition, but which do not routinely include the amygdala or other affective circuitry”
The paper relies on this without support.
The dorsal amygdala is associated with the aversion network and putatively motivates decisions about who to avoid, punish, or reject.
“the dorsal amygdala (associated with the aversion network, putatively motivating decisions about who to avoid, punish, or reject)”
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?
Larger and more complex social networks correlate with amygdala functional connectivity to other brain areas and with neural responses to social information.
“Likewise, social network size and complexity are associated with functional connectivity between the amygdala and other brain regions and with neural response to social information,34,35,35”
From Why the cognitive ‘fountain of youth’ may be upstream: pathways to dementia risk and resilience through social connectedness (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
Neural networks could serve as a cognitive reserve mechanism tied to social bridging.
“suggesting that neural networks may be a mechanism of cognitive reserve linked to social bridging.”
From Why the cognitive ‘fountain of youth’ may be upstream: pathways to dementia risk and resilience through social connectedness (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet
References 106 · Cited by 272
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9861(19981130)401:4<480::AID-CNE4>3.0.CO;2-F · DOI · Paper page
- Authors
- Bickart, K. C., Hollenbeck, M. C., Barrett, L. F., & Dickerson, B. C.
- Affiliations
- Boston University (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Northeastern University (US)
- Venue
- The Journal of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Society for Neuroscience
- Published
- 2012-10-17
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 42
- Pages
- 14729-14741
- ISSN
- 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-2401
- PMC
- PMC3569519
- OpenAlex
- W2083254659
- Semantic Scholar
- e4e48211c78d79d5a7ba30bd3cf6797795744abd
- Cited by
- 272
- References
- 106
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 8.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (DP1OD003312, AG005134)
- National Institute on Aging (AG005134, AG030311, R01AG030311, P50AG005134, R01AG029411)
- National Institute of Mental Health (R21MH097094)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- amygdala, intrinsic functional connectivity, social network size, amygdala volume, resting-state functional connectivity, large-scale brain networks, affiliative behavior, perceptual skills, mentalizing network
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Amygdala, Brain Mapping, Cerebral Cortex, Female, Forecasting, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Nerve Net, Neural Pathways, Young Adult, Social Networking
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