Higher affective congruency in the approach-avoidance task is associated with insular deactivation to dynamic facial expressions. (22nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harlé, Katia M.; Simmons, Alan N.; Bomyea, Jessica; Spadoni, Andrea D.; Taylor, Charles T.
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychologia. Volume 151(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-22
• Subjects: Approach-avoidance task -- AAT -- Cognitive training -- Insula -- fMRI -- Dynamic facial expressions; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107734
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3932

Abstract

Abstract: Individuals exhibit a natural bias to approach positive social cues (e.g., smiling face) and to avoid negative ones, which may be altered in psychiatric conditions. Computerized approach/avoidance training to promote affectively congruent behavior has proven useful in modulating such biases. Here, we investigate how exposure to a higher rate of congruency impacts neural processing of social-affective cues. While undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), twenty-four individuals completed two versions of the approach-avoidance task (AAT), in which they had to approach or avoid dynamic facial expressions of either happiness or disgust. In the high congruency condition, congruent responses (i.e. approaching happy faces, avoiding disgusted faces) were more frequent. The balanced condition had equal amounts of congruent and incongruent responses. Processing of congruent approach-avoidance actions towards social cues was associated with lower recruitment of the right anterior insula in the congruency-intensive relative to the balanced condition. Differential activation between the high congruency and balanced condition in the right hippocampus was negatively related to individuals' trait avoidance tendency. These findings are consistent with reduced affective neural processing of social cues when being exposed to congruent AAT contexts. These neural foci could be important targets when assessing the effectiveness of affective congruency training protocols. Highlights: Approach-avoidance action tendencies may be altered in psychiatric conditions. Congruency-focused AAT may improve neural processing of social-affective cues. High congruency AAT was associated with lower right anterior insula recruitment. A high congruency AAT condition may help reduce affective processing of social cues.