Background: Several studies have demonstrated that transient self-induced s
adness activates anterior paralimbic structures. To further examine the spe
cificity of these findings and the neural substrates involved in anger and
anxiety, we studied the neural correlates of the induction of anxiety and a
nger in healthy adults,
Methods: We used (H2O)-O-15 and positron emission tomography (PET) to measu
re regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 16 healthy adults during the indu
ction of transient anxiety, anger, and neutral emotions. Subjects achieved
differential emotions by recalling prior life events while viewing affect-a
ppropriate faces.
Results: Both the anxiety and anger conditions were associated with increas
ed normalized rCBF in left inferior frontal and left temporal pole regions
and decreased rCBF in right posterior temporal/parietal and right superior
frontal cortex, compared to the neutral induction. Additionally, compared t
o neutral induction, anxiety was associated with increased rCBF in the left
anterior cingulate and cuneus and decreased rCBF in right medial frontal c
ortex while the anger induction was uniquely associated with increased rCBF
in right temporal pot and thalamus,
Conclusions: Self-generated transient states of anxiety and anger are assoc
iated with both overlapping and distinct regional brain activity patterns a
nd provide a template far further dissection of specific components of norm
al and pathologic emotions. Biol Psychiatry 1999; 46:454-465 (C) 1999 Socie
ty of Biological Psychiatry.