Emotional activation of limbic circuitry in elderly normal subjects in a PET study

S Paradiso; R G Robinson; N C Andreasen; J E Downhill; R J Davidson; P T Kirchner; G L Watkins; L L Ponto; R D Hichwa

doi:10.1176/ajp.154.3.384

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Emotional activation of limbic circuitry in elderly normal subjects in a PET study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Emotional activation of limbic circuitry in elderly normal subjects in a PET study

S Paradiso, R G Robinson, N C Andreasen, J E Downhill, R J Davidson, P T Kirchner, G L Watkins, L L Ponto and R D Hichwa

The American journal of psychiatry, Vol.154(3), pp.384-389

03/1997

DOI: 10.1176/ajp.154.3.384

PMID: 9054787

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Abstract

This study was undertaken to identify brain structures associated with emotion in normal elderly subjects. Eight normal subjects aged 55-78 years were shown film clips intended to provoke the emotions of happiness, fear, or disgust as well as a neutral state. During emotional activation, regional cerebral blood flow was measured with the use of [15O]H2O positron emission tomography imaging, and subjective emotional responses were recorded. Data were analyzed by subtracting the values during the neutral condition from the values in the various emotional activations. The stimuli produced a general activation in visual pathways that included the primary and secondary visual cortex, involving regions associated with object and spatial recognition. In addition, the specific emotions produced different regional limbic activations, which suggests that different pathways may be used for different types of emotional stimuli. Emotional activation in normal elderly subjects was associated with increases in blood flow in limbic and paralimbic brain structures. Brain activation may be specific to the emotion being elicited but probably involves complex sensory, association, and memory circuitry. Further studies are needed to identify activations that are specific for emotion.

Aged - physiology

Emotions - physiology

Geriatric Assessment

Oxygen Radioisotopes

Visual Perception - physiology

Cerebrovascular Circulation - physiology

Humans

Middle Aged

Limbic System - blood supply

Male

Limbic System - diagnostic imaging

Visual Pathways - diagnostic imaging

Visual Pathways - blood supply

Regional Blood Flow

Visual Pathways - physiology

Image Processing, Computer-Assisted

Limbic System - physiology

Female

Tomography, Emission-Computed

Details

Title: Subtitle: Emotional activation of limbic circuitry in elderly normal subjects in a PET study
Creators: S Paradiso - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Psychiatry Administration, Iowa City 52242, USA
R G Robinson
N C Andreasen
J E Downhill
R J Davidson
P T Kirchner
G L Watkins
L L Ponto
R D Hichwa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The American journal of psychiatry, Vol.154(3), pp.384-389
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1176/ajp.154.3.384
PMID: 9054787
ISSN: 0002-953X
eISSN: 1535-7228
Grant note: MH-00163 / NIMH NIH HHS MH-00875 / NIMH NIH HHS MH-00625 / NIMH NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/1997
Academic Unit: Radiology; Psychiatry; Research Administration; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics; Physics and Astronomy; Radiation Oncology
Record Identifier: 9984003904902771

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