Sensory Processing Sensitivity Predicts Individual Differences in Resting-State Functional Connectivity Associated with Depth of Processing

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a biologically based temperament trait associated with enhanced awareness and responsivity to environmental and social stimuli. Individuals with high SPS are more affected by their environments, which may result in overarousal, cognitive depletion, and fatigue. <b><i>Method:</i></b> We examined individual differences in resting-state (rs) brain connectivity (using functional MRI) as a function of SPS among a group of adults (<i>M</i> age = 66.13 ± 11.44 years) immediately after they completed a social affective “empathy” task. SPS was measured with the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Scale and correlated with rs brain connectivity. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Results showed enhanced rs brain connectivity within the ventral attention, dorsal attention, and limbic networks as a function of greater SPS. Region of interest analyses showed increased rs brain connectivity between the hippocampus and the precuneus (implicated in episodic memory); while weaker connectivity was shown between the amygdala and the periaqueductal gray (important for anxiety), and the hippocampus and insula (implicated in habitual cognitive processing). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The present study showed that SPS is associated with rs brain connectivity implicated in attentional control, consolidation of memory, physiological homeostasis, and deliberative cognition. These results support theories proposing “depth of processing” as a central feature of SPS and highlight the neural processes underlying this cardinal feature of the trait.

The peril and promise of sensitivity in eating disorders

“…Sensory processing sensitivity has been linked with heightened activation of the insula, cingulate, inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and the premotor area. These findings are consistent with aberrations in fMRI insula and cingulate responses that have been observed among individuals with eating disorders (Acevedo et al, 2021). Disentangling trait and state neurobiological factors complicates the interpretation of neuroimaging findings in the identification of neural circuits involved in differential susceptibility (Frank, 2013) (as does the impact of starvation).…”

“…Neural models of sensitivity appear to involve similar alterations in functional connectivity of brain networks. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of individuals scoring higher on a measure of sensory processing sensitivity revealed higher resting state connectivity within the ventral attention, dorsal attention, and limbic networks, as well as higher connectivity in the default mode network between the hippocampus and the precuneus as well as the insula and the inferior parietal lobe compared to individuals who scored lower on this measure (Acevedo et al, 2021). Consistent with the phenotypic characteristics of attentional control, depth of processing, and memory consolidation, these patterns in neural networks may contribute to heightened sensory processing (Acevedo et al, 2021).…”

“…Sensory processing sensitivity is defined as the degree of responsiveness, malleability, and reactivity to aspects of the environment. As measured by the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (Aron & Aron, 1997), sensory processing sensitivity corresponds to biological reactivity in genetic and neuroimaging studies (Acevedo et al, 2014b; Acevedo, Aron, Pospos, & Jessen, 2018; Acevedo, Santander, Marhenke, Aron, & Aron, 2021; Greven et al, 2019). It is hypothesized that sensory processing sensitivity is a genetically influenced trait involving depth of processing and emotional reactivity that results in a more comprehensive processing of environmental cues.…”

Localizing sensory processing sensitivity and its subdomains within its relevant trait space: a data-driven approach

“…Indeed, research into the neural substrates of stimuli discrimination showed a higher activation in visual attentional areas (right claustrum, left occipitotemporal, bilateral temporal and medial and posterior parietal regions) for subtle decisions in high SPS individuals 24 . Other research indicated that SPS individuals can show higher activations in brain regions involved in awareness and empathy (insula, inferior frontal gyrus), memory, and self-other processing (i.e., premotor area, cingulate, medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) 24 – 27 and enhanced functional connectivity among attentional and limbic network in resting state 28 . These results are consistent with highly sensitive persons being more aware and more intensely affected by others’ moods 9 and having an enhanced depth of processing 14 .…”

Individual Differences and Susceptibility to Burnout Syndrome: Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Its Relation to Exhaustion and Disengagement

“…This brain structure is described as a center of sensory awareness; it is associated with limbic functions and self-referential processing ( Fan et al, 2011 ; Acevedo et al, 2014 ). High sensory processing sensitivity is associated with activation of the brain in regions responsible for deep processing, memory and psychophysiological regulation in response to emotive stimuli ( Acevedo et al, 2017 , 2021 ). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Acevedo et al (2017) analyzed brain activity due to sensory processing sensitivity exposure to negative, positive or neutral stimuli revealed that highly sensitive sensory processing was related to increased activation of the hippocampus, the hypothalamus, the entorhinal area, and the temporal gyri; it was also related to decreased activation of the inferior parietal area.…”