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Coarse threat images reveal theta oscillations in the amygdala: a magnetoencephalography study

Coarse threat images reveal theta oscillations in the amygdala: a magnetoencephalography study
Coarse threat images reveal theta oscillations in the amygdala: a magnetoencephalography study
Neurocognitive models propose a specialised neural system for processing threat-related information, in which the amygdala plays a key role in the analysis of threat cues. fMRI research indicates that the amygdala is sensitive to coarse visual threat-relevant information, e.g., low spatial frequency (LSF) fearful faces. However, fMRI cannot determine the temporal or spectral characteristics of neural responses. Consequently, we used MEG to explore spatiotemporal patterns of activity in amygdala and cortical regions using blurry (LSF) and normal angry, fearful and neutral faces. Results demonstrated differences in amygdala activity between LSF threat-related and LSF neutral faces (50-250 ms after face onset). These differences were evident in the theta range (4-8 Hz) and accompanied by power changes in visual and frontal regions. Results support the view that the amygdala is involved in the early processing of coarse threat-related information and that theta is important in integrating activity within emotion processing networks.
magnetoencephalography, amygdala, threat, emotional faces, low spatial frequency, theta oscillations
1530-7026
133-143
Maratos, Frances A.
71cfaad4-255e-4d8f-a68c-1515ceda4b5d
Mogg, Karin
5f1474af-85f5-4fd3-8eb6-0371be848e30
Bradley, Brendan P.
bdacaa6c-528b-4086-9448-27ebfe463514
Rippon, Gina
d94881c6-f9e2-4618-a089-62815b2a7815
Senior, Carl
0012296e-45c2-4f56-8f8b-5fd1a2d135aa
Maratos, Frances A.
71cfaad4-255e-4d8f-a68c-1515ceda4b5d
Mogg, Karin
5f1474af-85f5-4fd3-8eb6-0371be848e30
Bradley, Brendan P.
bdacaa6c-528b-4086-9448-27ebfe463514
Rippon, Gina
d94881c6-f9e2-4618-a089-62815b2a7815
Senior, Carl
0012296e-45c2-4f56-8f8b-5fd1a2d135aa

Maratos, Frances A., Mogg, Karin, Bradley, Brendan P., Rippon, Gina and Senior, Carl (2009) Coarse threat images reveal theta oscillations in the amygdala: a magnetoencephalography study. Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience, 9 (3), 133-143. (doi:10.3758/CABN.9.2.133).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Neurocognitive models propose a specialised neural system for processing threat-related information, in which the amygdala plays a key role in the analysis of threat cues. fMRI research indicates that the amygdala is sensitive to coarse visual threat-relevant information, e.g., low spatial frequency (LSF) fearful faces. However, fMRI cannot determine the temporal or spectral characteristics of neural responses. Consequently, we used MEG to explore spatiotemporal patterns of activity in amygdala and cortical regions using blurry (LSF) and normal angry, fearful and neutral faces. Results demonstrated differences in amygdala activity between LSF threat-related and LSF neutral faces (50-250 ms after face onset). These differences were evident in the theta range (4-8 Hz) and accompanied by power changes in visual and frontal regions. Results support the view that the amygdala is involved in the early processing of coarse threat-related information and that theta is important in integrating activity within emotion processing networks.

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Maratos_Mogg_Bradley_Rippon_Senior_2009_MEG_theta.pdf - Accepted Manuscript
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More information

Published date: 2009
Keywords: magnetoencephalography, amygdala, threat, emotional faces, low spatial frequency, theta oscillations
Organisations: Clinical Neurosciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 64054
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/64054
ISSN: 1530-7026
PURE UUID: 53bfb78e-5369-4564-9f7d-a8ed2ef78de0
ORCID for Brendan P. Bradley: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-2801-4271

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 26 Nov 2008
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 03:19

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Contributors

Author: Frances A. Maratos
Author: Karin Mogg
Author: Gina Rippon
Author: Carl Senior

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