PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Mental Health Depression

Study suggests negative emotionality is associated with neurocognitive changes

by Eric W. Dolan
August 21, 2021
in Depression
Prefrontal cortex of left cerebral hemisphere highlighted in red. (Polygon data generated by Database Center for Life Science)

Prefrontal cortex of left cerebral hemisphere highlighted in red. (Polygon data generated by Database Center for Life Science)

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Heightened depression and stress symptoms might be associated with altered prefrontal brain activity in young adults during a working memory task, according to new research published in Psychophysiology.

“I am interesting in understand the interaction between emotion and cognition by studying the prefrontal cortex activation,” said study author Agnes S. Chan, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and director of the Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being.

“The prefrontal cortex mediates emotion and cognition, and studies have shown that individuals who suffer various psychological problems such as depression and anxiety have abnormal structure and activity in the prefrontal cortex.”

In the study, 40 right-handed college students completed neurocognitive tests as the researchers used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to detect changes in prefrontal brain tissue oxygenation. The participants then completed a measure of their depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in the preceding week.

“We found an association between greater self-reported negative mood symptoms and poorer frontal lobe functioning during the performance of the cognitive task,” Chan told PsyPost. In particular, the researchers found that increased levels of depression and stress symptoms were associated with reduced lateral prefrontal cortex activation during a working memory task.

“It should be emphasized, however, that our findings do not speak to any causal effect. That is, while it is plausible that decreased lateral prefrontal cortex functioning leads to an increased level of negative emotionality, increased negative affect may also lead to decreased lateral prefrontal cortex functioning because of reduced effort devoted to the working memory task,” the researchers said.

Surprisingly, the levels of recent negative mood and prefrontal cortex activation were unrelated to performance on the working memory task.

The findings shed light on some of the neurocognitive changes associated with negative emotionality. But future research is needed with older populations. “Our study focused on young adults, and our findings might not be generalizable to other age groups,” Chan said.

“Healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and having a peaceful mind, have been shown to have mood-enhancing effects. All of us can optimize productivity, maintain brain health, and live a happy life by adopting a healthy lifestyle,” Chan added.

“I have developed a lifestyle medicine program based upon traditional health concepts, namely Chanwuyi Lifestyle Medicine Program. Empirical studies have shown that this program is effective in improving psychological and physical health. For further information please visit: https://www.chanwuyilifestyle.psy.cuhk.edu.hk/”

The study, “Negative mood is associated with decreased prefrontal cortex functioning during working memory in young adults“, was authored by Michael K. Yeung, Tsz L. Lee, and Agnes S. Chan.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePin9Send

Get all the latest updates on new psychology research with the free PsyPost app.
 


NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

New research identifies distinct masturbation–satisfaction patterns among women and men

Dark triad traits associated with psychological entitlement and knowledge hiding behavior

Vanity disrupts the link between physical attractiveness and greater perceived morality, study suggests

Neuroscience research suggests LSD might enhance learning and memory by promoting brain plasticity

Coffee drinking is largely unrelated to psychological well-being, according to new research

Attachment insecurities shape how individuals and their romantic partners feel during sex, study suggests

RECENT

New research identifies distinct masturbation–satisfaction patterns among women and men

Dark triad traits associated with psychological entitlement and knowledge hiding behavior

Vanity disrupts the link between physical attractiveness and greater perceived morality, study suggests

Countries with more stringent pandemic lockdowns had less mental illness-related Google searches

Attachment insecurities shape how individuals and their romantic partners feel during sex, study suggests

  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
Powered by

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • About
    • Newsletter signup form
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Contact
  • Contact us
  • My account
  • Privacy policy
  • Psychology news
  • PsyPost app privacy policy
  • Shop
  • SmartMag Home

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.