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. 2019 Jun;9(6):e01267.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.1267. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Neural substrates of self- and external-preoccupation: A voxel-based morphometry study

Shigeyuki Ikeda  1 , Hikaru Takeuchi  2 , Yasuyuki Taki  2   3   4 , Rui Nouchi  5   6 , Ryoichi Yokoyama  7 , Seishu Nakagawa  7 , Atsushi Sekiguchi  6 , Kunio Iizuka  7 , Sugiko Hanawa  7 , Tsuyoshi Araki  6 , Carlos Makoto Miyauchi  7 , Kohei Sakaki  6 , Takayuki Nozawa  1 , Susumu Yokota  2 , Daniele Magistro  7 , Ryuta Kawashima  1   2   5   6   7
Affiliations

Neural substrates of self- and external-preoccupation: A voxel-based morphometry study

Shigeyuki Ikeda et al. Brain Behav. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Self- and external-preoccupation have been linked to psychopathological states. The neural substrates underlying self- and external-preoccupation remain unclear. In the present study, we aim to provide insight into the information-processing mechanisms associated with self- and external-preoccupation at the structural level.

Methods: To investigate the neural substrates of self- and external-preoccupation, we acquired high-resolution T1-weighted structural images and Preoccupation Scale scores from 1,122 young subjects. Associations between regional gray matter volume (rGMV) and Preoccupation Scale subscores for self- and external-preoccupation were estimated using voxel-based morphometry.

Results: Significant positive associations between self-preoccupation and rGMV were observed in widespread brain areas such as the bilateral precuneus and posterior cingulate gyri, structures known to be associated with self-triggered self-reference during rest. Significant negative associations between external-preoccupation and rGMV were observed only in the bilateral cerebellum, regions known to be associated with behavioral addiction, sustained attention, and reward system.

Conclusion: Our results reveal distinct neural substrates for self- and external-preoccupation at the structural level.

Keywords: Preoccupation Scale; cerebellum; gray matter volume; magnetic resonance imaging; posterior cingulate cortex; precuneus.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Significant positive associations between Self‐Preoccupation Scale (SPS) and regional gray matter volume (rGMV). (a) Regions demonstrating significant positive associations with SPS scores. Threshold‐free cluster enhancement (TFCE) maps thresholded with a family‐wise error (FWE)‐corrected p < 0.05 were overlaid on the avg305T1 template using SPM12. The color bar represents the TFCE magnitude. Warm colors represent positive associations. (b) A scatter plot showing the relationship between SPS scores and rGMV at the peak voxel. The peak voxel was located in the right postcentral gyrus. For the scatter plot, the mean value was subtracted from SPS scores, and the nuisance covariates were regressed out from rGMV at the peak voxel. A black line within the scatter plot shows rGMV predicted from SPS scores
Figure 2
Figure 2
Significant negative associations between External‐Preoccupation Scale (EPS) and regional gray matter volume (rGMV). (a) Regions demonstrating significant negative associations with EPS scores. Threshold‐free cluster enhancement (TFCE) maps thresholded with a family‐wise error (FWE)‐corrected p < 0.05 were overlaid on the avg305T1 template using SPM12. The color bar represents the TFCE magnitude. Cool colors represent negative associations. (b) A scatter plot showing the relationship between EPS scores and rGMV at the peak voxel. The peak voxel was located in the right cerebellum exterior. For the scatter plot, the mean value was subtracted from EPS scores, and the nuisance covariates were regressed out from rGMV at the peak voxel. A black line within the scatter plot shows rGMV predicted from EPS scores
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