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Human BNST is Selective to Uncertain Threat and Modulated by Anxiety
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Human BNST is Selective to Uncertain Threat and Modulated by Anxiety

Jennifer Blackford, Jacqueline Clauss and Suzanne Avery
Biological psychiatry (1969), Vol.81(10 Suppl), p.S44
05/15/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.02.117

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Abstract

Background Rodent studies demonstrate that the BNST mediates sustained anxiety-like responses to uncertain threat, in contrast to the amygdala which mediates fear-like responses to immediate threats. While these data suggest an important role, the BNST has been remarkably understudied in humans. We recently overcame the technological issues that limited neuroimaging of the human BNST (Avery, 2014). Here we report on a translational task designed to directly compare BNST and amygdala function in humans. Methods Forty-five young adults completed a cued face anticipation fMRI task with three conditions: uncertain threat; certain threat; and certain safe. An ANOVA tested for an interaction of region (BNST vs amygdala) and condition. Whole brain and BNST connectivity analyses were performed and effects of social anxiety were investigated. Results Direct comparison of the BNST and amygdala revealed unique responses to threat: BNST activity was elicited by uncertain threat cues (brain region x cue interaction, p < .05), whereas amygdala activity was heightened in response to face images. During unpredictable threat, BNST-caudate connectivity was heightened and BNST-temporal pole connectivity was decreased. Social anxiety predicted heightened BNST reactivity to threat images (relative to neutral images) that followed the uncertain threat cues (p < .05) and correlated with BNST-hippocampal connectivity (r = −.33, p = .03). Conclusions Here, we show that the BNST responds to uncertain threat cues in humans. We also find for the first time, an effect of social anxiety on BNST reactivity and connectivity, providing evidence for a role of the BNST in social anxiety.
 Anxiety social anxiety BNST Amygdala

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