Default Mode Network alterations in alexithymia: an EEG power spectra and connectivity study.
paper
Cited
Public
- Authors
- Imperatori, Claudio; Della Marca, Giacomo; Brunetti, Riccardo; Carbone, Giuseppe Alessio; Massullo, Chiara; Valenti, Enrico Maria; Amoroso, Noemi; Maestoso, Giulia; Contardi, Anna; Farina, Benedetto
- Year
- 2016
- Journal
- Scientific reports
- PMID
- 27845326
- DOI
- 10.1038/srep36653
- PMCID
- PMC5109184
Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that alexithymia is characterized by functional alterations in different brain areas [e.g., posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)], during emotional/social tasks. However, only few data are available about alexithymic cortical networking features during resting state (RS). We have investigated the modifications of electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectra and EEG functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) in subjects with alexithymia. Eighteen subjects with alexithymia and eighteen subjects without alexithymia matched for age and gender were enrolled. EEG was recorded during 5 min of RS. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the exact Low Resolution Electric Tomography software (eLORETA). Compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha power in the right PCC. In the connectivity analysis, compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha connectivity between: (i) right anterior cingulate cortex and right PCC, (ii) right frontal lobe and right PCC, and (iii) right parietal lobe and right temporal lobe. Finally, mediation models showed that the association between alexithymia and EEG connectivity values was directed and was not mediated by psychopathology severity. Taken together, our results could reflect the neurophysiological substrate of some core features of alexithymia, such as the impairment in emotional awareness.
Results of the eLORETA comparison of EEG power spectra in each frequency band.Threshold values (T) for statistical significance (corresponding to p < 0.05) are reported in the right side of the figure. Blue color indicates reduction of EEG power spectra. Red color (not present) would indicate an increase of EEG power spectra. Compared to TASβ individuals, TAS+ subjects showed a decrease of alpha power in the in right PCC (BA 23; T = β3.28, p < 0.05). Abbreviation: BA = Brodmann areas; PCC = Posterior Cingulate Cortex; A = Anterior; P = Posterior; L = Left; R = Right.
Results of the eLORETA comparison of EEG lagged phase synchronization in each frequency bands.Threshold values (T) for statistical significance (corresponding to p < 0.05) are reported in the right side of the figure. Blue lines indicate connections which presented decrease of connectivity. Red lines (not present) would indicate an increase of connectivity. In this analysis, compared to TASβ individuals, TAS+ subjects showed a decrease of alpha lagged phase synchronization between: (i) ROI 6 (BAs 23β24) and ROI 8 (BA 32) (T = β3.87; p < 0.05), (ii) ROI 2 (BAs 8-9-10) and ROI 6 (BAs 23β24) (T = β4.10; p < 0.05), and (iii) ROI 12 (BAs 39β40) and ROI 4 (BAs 21-28-36) (T = β3.92; p < 0.05). Abbreviation: A = Anterior; P = Posterior; ROI = Region of interest.
Results of the multiple mediation models and related standardized b coefficients.Note. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. Abbreviation: TAS-20 = Toronto Alexithymia Scale; GSI = Global Severity Index; ROIs = Regions of interest.
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