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Trait Anger Representation in Microstructural White Matter Tracts: A Diffusion Mri Study Publisher Pubmed



Sinaeifar Z1 ; Mayeli M1, 2 ; Shafie M1 ; Pooyan A3 ; Cattarinussi G4, 5 ; Aarabi MH4, 5 ; Sambataro F4, 5
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. NeuroTRACT Association, Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
  4. 4. Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, Padua, Italy
  5. 5. Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padua, Italy

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders Published:2023


Abstract

Background: Understanding the microstructure of the brain that underlies emotions is of pivotal importance for psychology and psychiatry. Herein, we investigated white matter (WM) tracts associated with anger using the diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (DMRI) connectometry approach while exploring potential sex differences. Methods: 225 healthy participants from the LEMON database were evaluated using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI). WM images were prepared and analyzed with DMRI. Multiple regression models were fitted to address the correlation of local connectomes with STAXI components with age and handedness as covariates. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in state anger and trait anger between males and females (p = 0.55 and 0.30, respectively). DMRI connectometry revealed that quantitative anisotropy (QA) values in the bilateral corticospinal tract (CST), splenium of corpus callosum (SCC), middle cerebellar peduncle, left inferior cerebellar peduncle, left cingulum, and left fornix were negatively correlated with trait anger and trait anger temperament (TAT) in males. In contrast, the QA values in the bilateral CST and SCC showed a positive correlation with trait anger and TAT in females, which, however, did not reach statistical significance. Limitations: The cross-sectional design and self-reported measures of anger limit the generalizability of our results. Conclusions: This is the first DMRI connectometry study to investigate WM circuits involved in anger. We found that the pathways associated with the limbic system and movement-related regions were involved in trait anger and anger expression in men, while no brain pathways showed a significant relationship with anger in women. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
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