Cognitive framing modulates emotional processing through dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex networks: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Introduction: In this study, we show new evidence for the role of ventrolateral prefrontal cortex-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC-DLPFC) networks in the cognitive framing of emotional processing.

Method: We displayed neutral and aversive images described as having been sourced from artistic material to one cohort of subjects (i.e., the art-frame group; n = 19), while identical images, this time identified as having been sourced from documentary material (i.e., the doc-frame group; n = 20) were shown to a separate cohort.

Results: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we employed a linear parametric model showing that relative to the doc-frame group the art-frame group exhibited a modulation of amygdala activity in response to aversive images. The attenuated amygdala activity in the art-frame group supported our hypothesis that reduced amygdala activity was driven by top-down DLPFC inhibition of limbic responses. A psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis demonstrated that VLPFC activity correlated with amygdala activity in the art-frame group, but not in the doc-frame group for the contrast [Aversive > Neutral].

Conclusion: The role of the VLPFC in cognitive control suggests the hypothesis that it alongside DLPFC insulates against embodied emotional responses by inhibiting automatic affective responses.