Resting-state Functional Connectivity Differences in the Gelotophobes and Non-Gelotophobes
Poster No:
715
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Hao Chang1, Hsueh-Chih Chen1, Yu-Chen Chan2
Institutions:
1National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, 2National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
First Author:
Co-Author(s):
Introduction:
Humor plays an important role in the construction and maintenance of interpersonal relations. However, humor could be interpreted differently from various perspectives. Non-gelotophobes (normal people) regard humor as a form of kidding, while gelotophobes view humor as an insult. Previous studies have indicated that non-gelotophobes had greater activation in the ventral mesocorticolimbic system, whereas gelotophobes had greater activation in the dorsal corticostriatal system, which was related to top-down cognitive control of emotion (Chan, 2016). Although some task-driven fMRI studies have studied the neural variances between gelotophobes and non-gelotophobes, little attention has been placed on the resting-state (rs-)fMRI. It is worthwhile to investigate the resting-state neural differences between gelotophobia and gelotophilia. In this study, we evaluated the default mode network (DMN; precuneus and medial prefrontal cortex, mPFC), executive control network (ECN; inferior frontal gyrus, IFG), and salience network (SN; amygdala and cingulate cortex).
Methods:
Participants
Ninety-three right-handed and neurologically normal participants (47 male, mean age 24.47 ± 3.51 years) were recruited in this study. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Tsing Hua University.
Materials
All participants were assessed using the PhoPhiKat-TC Scale (Chen et al., 2011), which is a reliable and valid tool employed to evaluate the participants' gelotophobia, gelotophilia, and katagelasticism. Participants were divided into two groups based on the PhoPhiKat-TC Scale results, consisting of 37 gelotophobes and 56 non-gelotophobes.
MRI data acquisition
Resting-state blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals were acquired for 6 minutes using a specific imaging sequence (TR=1s, TE=30ms) on the 3-Tesla Siemens Magnetom Prisma scanner equipped with a 20-channel head coil. During the scan session, participants were asked to lie motionless and passively view a fixation dot.
Data analysis
To examine functional connectivity in brain regions of rs-fMRI relevant to gelotophobia and non-gelotophobia, voxel-based correlational analyses were performed using the Functional Connectivity (CONN) toolbox of SPM 12. According to previous studies, we focused on the precuneus, mPFC, IFG, amygdala, insula, PCC and dlPFC. Region of interest (ROI)-based correlations were also conducted using these areas as seeds.
Ninety-three right-handed and neurologically normal participants (47 male, mean age 24.47 ± 3.51 years) were recruited in this study. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Tsing Hua University.
Materials
All participants were assessed using the PhoPhiKat-TC Scale (Chen et al., 2011), which is a reliable and valid tool employed to evaluate the participants' gelotophobia, gelotophilia, and katagelasticism. Participants were divided into two groups based on the PhoPhiKat-TC Scale results, consisting of 37 gelotophobes and 56 non-gelotophobes.
MRI data acquisition
Resting-state blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals were acquired for 6 minutes using a specific imaging sequence (TR=1s, TE=30ms) on the 3-Tesla Siemens Magnetom Prisma scanner equipped with a 20-channel head coil. During the scan session, participants were asked to lie motionless and passively view a fixation dot.
Data analysis
To examine functional connectivity in brain regions of rs-fMRI relevant to gelotophobia and non-gelotophobia, voxel-based correlational analyses were performed using the Functional Connectivity (CONN) toolbox of SPM 12. According to previous studies, we focused on the precuneus, mPFC, IFG, amygdala, insula, PCC and dlPFC. Region of interest (ROI)-based correlations were also conducted using these areas as seeds.
Results:
The results revealed stronger connections in the midbrain and the precuneus gyrus among non-gelotophobes. Previous studies have suggested that the precuneus is involved in processing self-relevant information, while the dorsal midbrain is more activated when considering a high-self concept. Additionally, the midbrain is associated with cognitive control and reward networks. Non-gelotophobes also displayed stronger connections in the accumbens, a key brain region in the reward network, and the ACC, which is integral to the reward circuit.
In contrast to non-gelotophobes, participants with gelotophobia showed stronger connections in the ACC of the SN and precuneus. Based on previous research, the connectivity in the ACC and the precuneus was stronger, indicating a lower GABA concentration in the ACC. Gelotophobes also exhibited stronger connections in the PCC of the DMN and IFG. Previous studies have indicated that the DMN networks are related to human cognition and memory processing. Notably, the results demonstrated stronger connectivity in the amygdala and the frontal pole, suggesting the need for further investigation.
In contrast to non-gelotophobes, participants with gelotophobia showed stronger connections in the ACC of the SN and precuneus. Based on previous research, the connectivity in the ACC and the precuneus was stronger, indicating a lower GABA concentration in the ACC. Gelotophobes also exhibited stronger connections in the PCC of the DMN and IFG. Previous studies have indicated that the DMN networks are related to human cognition and memory processing. Notably, the results demonstrated stronger connectivity in the amygdala and the frontal pole, suggesting the need for further investigation.
·Figure 1. Functional connectivety in the Midbrain and Precuneus Gyrus (Non-gelotophobes > Gelotophobes)
·Figure 2. Functional connectivety in the Salience and DMN networks (Gelotophobes > Non-gelotophobes)
Conclusions:
These findings provided evidence that resting-state functional connectivity differs between gelotophobes and non-gelotophobes. The brain areas related to cognition were more activated in the gelotophobes, while the reward circuits were more activated in the non-gelotophobes. In summary, the current study explored the neural patterns of individuals with different perspectives on humor.
Emotion, Motivation and Social Neuroscience:
Social Neuroscience Other 2
Emotion and Motivation Other 1
Modeling and Analysis Methods:
Connectivity (eg. functional, effective, structural)
Task-Independent and Resting-State Analysis
Novel Imaging Acquisition Methods:
BOLD fMRI
Keywords:
FUNCTIONAL MRI
Other - Humor
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
Provide references using author date format
Chen, H. C., Chan, Y. C., Ruch, W., & Proyer, R. T. (2011). Evaluating the reliability and validity of a traditional Chinese version of the PhoPhiKat-45. Psychological Testing, 58(1), 119－145.