Neural Correlates of Psychological Flexibility

959 

Abstract Submission 

Verena Schuster^1,2, Christoph Vogelbacher^1,2, Marlon Westhoff¹, Stefan Hofmann^1,2

¹Department of Psychology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany, ²Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany

Verena Schuster  
Department of Psychology, Philipps-University|Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University
Marburg, Germany|Marburg, Germany

Christoph Vogelbacher  
Department of Psychology, Philipps-University|Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University
Marburg, Germany|Marburg, Germany

Marlon Westhoff  
Department of Psychology, Philipps-University
Marburg, Germany

Stefan Hofmann  
Department of Psychology, Philipps-University|Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University
Marburg, Germany|Marburg, Germany

Psychological flexibility involves adapting to changing contexts, balancing competing desires, and being open to experiences while maintaining a commitment to one's values. It is an increasingly important but complex construct encompassing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions [1]. FMRI provides a powerful tool to explore the neural underpinnings of this flexibility by allowing researchers to observe brain activity in response to various stimuli and tasks.
Reliable fMRI data is essential for accurately mapping the brain regions involved in psychological flexibility. Furthermore, consistent fMRI results are vital for replicating studies, a cornerstone of scientific research, ensuring that findings are not just artifacts but represent true brain function related to psychological flexibility.
However, the replication crisis prompted a surge in robust methodologies to counter reliability challenges in neuroscientific research. Variations in operating systems [2], noise [3], and algorithm differences pose instability, impacting data acquisition and analyses [4,5].
The reliability of fMRI data is fundamental in advancing our understanding of psychological flexibility. This study explores an fMRI paradigm used by Benoit et al. [6], probing the neural correlates of suppressing future fears, a facet of psychological flexibility.

Fifty-nine healthy participants (42 women, 17 men) consented to the study, approved by the local Ethics Committee. MRI scans were conducted on a 3T Siemens Tim Trio scanner using a 32-channel head matrix Rx-coil. T2*-weighted echo-planar images were acquired, including five dummy volumes per run. The study replicated previous MR parameters, integrating newer techniques like multiband sequences for shorter TRs. Participants were tasked with either imagining or suppressing pre-identified future fears during the fMRI measurement using a pseudo-randomized block design. Detailed methodology is available in the referenced study [6].
The General Linear Model (GLM) was applied for analyzing fMRI data, with first-level analysis conducted using the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) model and the fitlins software on preprocessed data (using fmriprep). Movement parameters and the first six anatomical CompCor noise components were used as regressors alongside a high-pass filter (0.008 Hz) and 8 mm FWHM smoothing. Single-subject contrasts for imagine > suppress and vice versa were calculated. Second-level analysis utilized z-standardized contrasts for a one-sample T-test, with results thresholded at a false positive rate < .001. Cluster identification was achieved using the DIFUMO atlas, focusing on clusters of at least 15 voxels.

Similar to the original study, the analysis revealed distinct brain activation patterns. For suppress > imagine, significant activity was noted in the inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, and superior occipital sulcus. Conversely, imagine > suppress showed activation in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Notably, hippocampal activation was absent, diverging from previous findings [6], suggesting alternative neural pathways in suppressing or imagining future fears.

The study successfully replicated core brain activations related to the suppression and imagination of future fears, utilizing updated and standardized data analysis methods. The lack of hippocampal activation might indicate a different neural mechanism at play in this specific psychological flexibility aspect, warranting further investigation. This paradigm is useful for studying psychological flexibility, a critical cognitive ability that enables adaptation to changing circumstances and emotional regulation. Understanding psychological flexibility is crucial for understanding mental health conditions and developing effective therapeutic interventions.

Executive Function, Cognitive Control and Decision Making

Higher Cognitive Functions Other ¹

Activation (eg. BOLD task-fMRI) ²

Emotions

FUNCTIONAL MRI

Other - Replicability