Abstract
Background: Several recent neuroimaging studies have examined the neuroanatomical
correlates of normal emotional states, such as happiness, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety,
and disgust; however, no previous study has examined the emotional state of guilt.
Methods: In the current study, we used positron emission tomography and the script-driven
imagery paradigm to study regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during the transient
emotional experience of guilt in eight healthy male participants. In the Guilt condition,
participants recalled and imagined participating in a personal event involving the
most guilt they had ever experienced. In the Neutral condition, participants recalled
and imagined participating in an emotionally neutral personal event.
Results: In the Guilt versus Neutral comparison, rCBF increases occurred in anterior
paralimbic regions of the brain: bilateral anterior temporal poles, anterior cingulate
gyrus, and left anterior insular cortex/inferior frontal gyrus.
Conclusions: These results, along with those of previous studies, are consistent with
the notion that anterior paralimbic regions of the brain mediate negative emotional
states in healthy individuals.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 31,
1999
Received in revised form:
December 28,
1999
Received:
October 7,
1999
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
