Mechanistic link between right prefrontal cortical activity and anxious arousal revealed using transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy subjects.
Journal Article (Clinical Trial;Journal Article)
Much of the mechanistic research on anxiety focuses on subcortical structures such as the amygdala; however, less is known about the distributed cortical circuit that also contributes to anxiety expression. One way to learn about this circuit is to probe candidate regions using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). In this study, we tested the involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), in anxiety expression using 10 Hz repetitive TMS (rTMS). In a within-subject, crossover experiment, the study measured anxiety in healthy subjects before and after a session of 10 Hz rTMS to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). It used threat of predictable and unpredictable shock to induce anxiety and anxiety potentiated startle to assess anxiety. Counter to our hypotheses, results showed an increase in anxiety-potentiated startle following active but not sham rTMS. These results suggest a mechanistic link between right dlPFC activity and physiological anxiety expression. This result supports current models of prefrontal asymmetry in affect, and lays the groundwork for further exploration into the cortical mechanisms mediating anxiety, which may lead to novel anxiety treatments.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Balderston, NL; Beydler, EM; Roberts, C; Deng, Z-D; Radman, T; Lago, T; Luber, B; Lisanby, SH; Ernst, M; Grillon, C
Published Date
- March 2020
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 45 / 4
Start / End Page
- 694 - 702
PubMed ID
- 31791039
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC7021903
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1740-634X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1038/s41386-019-0583-5
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England