Effective connectivity between amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex differentiates the perception of facial expressions

Abstract

Emotion research is guided both by the view that emotions are points in a dimensional space, such as valence or approach–withdrawal, and by the view that emotions are discrete categories. We determined whether effective connectivity of amygdala with medial orbitofrontal cortex (MOFC) and lateral orbitofrontal cortex (LOFC) differentiates the perception of emotion faces in a manner consistent with the dimensional and/or categorical view. Greater effective connectivity from left MOFC to amygdala differentiated positive and neutral expressions from negatively valenced angry, disgust, and fear expressions. Greater effective connectivity from right LOFC to amygdala differentiated emotion expressions conducive to perceiver approach (happy, neutral, and fear) from angry expressions that elicit perceiver withdrawal. Finally, consistent with the categorical view, there were unique patterns of connectivity in response to fear, anger, and disgust, although not in response to happy expressions, which did not differ from neutral ones.

Keywords:

• Amygdala
• OFC
• Connectivity
• Face
• Emotion perception

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Mental Health Grants (grant numbers MH066836 and K02MH72603) to L.A.Z.