• 생물정신의학
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.71-76
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• 2012

Objectives : Novelty seeking (NS) represents a dopaminergically modulated tendency toward frequent exploratory activity. Considering the reports showing the relationship between exploratory activity and amygdalar function and structure, and the fact that amygdala is one of the key structures that constitute the dopaminergic pathway in the brain, amygdala might be closely related to NS tendencies. Amygdalar subregional analysis method, which has the enhanced sensitivity compared to the volumteric approach would be appropriate in investigating the subtle differences of amygdalar structures among healthy individuals. The aim of the current study was to examine whether amygdalar subregional morphometric characteristics are associated with the NS tendencies in healthy adults using the amygdalar subregional analysis method. Methods : Twenty-six healthy adults (12 males, 14 females ; mean age $29.8{\pm}6.2$ years) were screened for eligibility. All subjects completed the Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and underwent high-resolution brain magnetic resonance imaging. Individuals were divided into 2 groups according to NS scores of the TCI. Results : Individuals of the high NS group had significantly larger laterobasal subregions in right amygdala, after adjustment with the brain parenchymal volumes. Sensitivity analyses for each potential confounding factor such as age, education years and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores demonstrated consistent results. Conclusions : This study suggests that NS differences are associated with the laterobasal subregion of the amygdala.

• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.44-51
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• 2014

Objective : The amygdala has been considered to be a critical region in the pathophysiology of social anxiety disorder, but subregional connectivity pattern has not been examined yet despite lots of previous functional neuroimaging studies. Methods : Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data was obtained in 19 patients with social anxiety disorder and 20 normal controls, and default mode functional connectivity with each of basolateral, centromedial and superficial areas of the amygdala was measured and compared between the two groups. Results : Differential amygdala-based networks between the two groups were distributed to all over the brain. In particular, however, a bias on the amygdala-cingulate pathway was observed in the superficial amygdala only. Connectivity strengths between the superficial amygdala and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex were correlated with scores of social interaction and avoidance. Conclusion : Our findings provide new insights into understanding of the intrinsic cognitive bias model of social anxiety disorder. An abnormality in superficial amygdala-anterior cingulate connectivity may influence on cognitive processing of socially-relevant information in social anxiety disorder.