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Cognitive and neural contributors to emotion regulation in aging.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Winecoff, A; Labar, KS; Madden, DJ; Cabeza, R; Huettel, SA
Published in: Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci
April 2011

Older adults, compared to younger adults, focus on emotional well-being. While the lifespan trajectory of emotional processing and its regulation has been characterized behaviorally, few studies have investigated the underlying neural mechanisms. Here, older adults (range: 59-73 years) and younger adults (range: 19-33 years) participated in a cognitive reappraisal task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning. On each trial, participants viewed positive, negative or neutral pictures and either naturally experienced the image ('Experience' condition) or attempted to detach themselves from the image ('Reappraise' condition). Across both age groups, cognitive reappraisal activated prefrontal regions similar to those reported in prior studies of emotion regulation, while emotional experience activated the bilateral amygdala. Psychophysiological interaction analyses revealed that the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and amygdala demonstrated greater inverse connectivity during the 'Reappraise' condition relative to the 'Experience' condition. The only regions exhibiting significant age differences were the left IFG and the left superior temporal gyrus, for which greater regulation-related activation was observed in younger adults. Controlling for age, increased performance on measures of cognition predicted greater regulation-related decreases in amygdala activation. Thus, while older and younger adults use similar brain structures for emotion regulation and experience, the functional efficacy of those structures depends on underlying cognitive ability.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci

DOI

EISSN

1749-5024

Publication Date

April 2011

Volume

6

Issue

2

Start / End Page

165 / 176

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Psychometrics
  • Oxygen
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Winecoff, A., Labar, K. S., Madden, D. J., Cabeza, R., & Huettel, S. A. (2011). Cognitive and neural contributors to emotion regulation in aging. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci, 6(2), 165–176. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsq030
Winecoff, Amy, Kevin S. Labar, David J. Madden, Roberto Cabeza, and Scott A. Huettel. “Cognitive and neural contributors to emotion regulation in aging.Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 6, no. 2 (April 2011): 165–76. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsq030.
Winecoff A, Labar KS, Madden DJ, Cabeza R, Huettel SA. Cognitive and neural contributors to emotion regulation in aging. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2011 Apr;6(2):165–76.
Winecoff, Amy, et al. “Cognitive and neural contributors to emotion regulation in aging.Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci, vol. 6, no. 2, Apr. 2011, pp. 165–76. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/scan/nsq030.
Winecoff A, Labar KS, Madden DJ, Cabeza R, Huettel SA. Cognitive and neural contributors to emotion regulation in aging. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2011 Apr;6(2):165–176.
Journal cover image

Published In

Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci

DOI

EISSN

1749-5024

Publication Date

April 2011

Volume

6

Issue

2

Start / End Page

165 / 176

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Psychometrics
  • Oxygen
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans