Neuroticism modulates brain visuo-vestibular and anxiety systems during a virtual rollercoaster task

Abstract

Different lines of research suggest that anxiety-related personality traits may influence the visual and vestibular control of balance, although the brain mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. To our knowledge, this is the first functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study that investigates how individual differences in neuroticism and introversion, two key personality traits linked to anxiety, modulate brain regional responses and functional connectivity patterns during a fMRI task simulating self-motion. Twenty-four healthy individuals with variable levels of neuroticism and introversion underwent fMRI while performing a virtual reality rollercoaster task that included two main types of trials: (1) trials simulating downward or upward self-motion (vertical motion), and (2) trials simulating self-motion in horizontal planes (horizontal motion). Regional brain activity and functional connectivity patterns when comparing vertical versus horizontal motion trials were correlated with personality traits of the Five Factor Model (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion-introversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness). When comparing vertical to horizontal motion trials, we found a positive correlation between neuroticism scores and regional activity in the left parieto-insular vestibular cortex (PIVC). For the same contrast, increased functional connectivity between the left PIVC and right amygdala was also detected as a function of higher neuroticism scores. Together, these findings provide new evidence that individual differences in personality traits linked to anxiety are significantly associated with changes in the activity and functional connectivity patterns within visuo-vestibular and anxiety-related systems during simulated vertical self-motion. Hum Brain Mapp 38:715-726, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vestibulo‐cortical hemispheric dominance: The link between anxiety and the vestibular system?

“…Specifically, we observed that greater right hemisphere dominance was associated with lower anxiety, whereas increased anxiety was found in less right hemisphere dominant individuals. Our results highlight the interplay between vestibular processing and anxiety networks (Riccelli et al., ), but also implicate the importance of hemispheric lateralisation upon influencing these systems.…”

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Cortical alterations in phobic postural vertigo – a multimodal imaging approach

“…Moreover, an introverted, dependent, and anxious personality is a potential risk factor for the development and negative course of PPV . Patients with a personality of high resilience and optimism are less likely to develop persistent dizziness after an acute vestibular disorder, whereas personality traits such as neuroticism and introversion influence brain responses to vestibular and visual stimuli on visual‐vestibular‐anxiety systems . We found task‐dependent hyperconnectivities within brain networks regulating various aspects of emotional behavior and interoceptive pathways in PPV patients (Fig.…”

Predictors of clinical recovery from vestibular neuritis: a prospective study

“…. Moreover, fMRI data during simulated vertigo suggest an association between psychological traits and functional connectivity patterns within visuo‐vestibular and anxiety‐related cortical networks, but the directionality of this association remains unclear. Our findings highlight (1) the importance of early identification of abnormal visual dependency and concurrent anxiety in VN and (2) the potential for early treatments to improve long‐term outcome by reducing visual dependency (sensory reweighting strategies) and combining pharmacotherapy and cognitive therapies to reduce anxiety and autonomic arousal.…”