Moderating Effects of Harm Avoidance on Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Anterior Insula.

Ashley A Huggins,Emily L Belleau,Christine L Larson,Tara A Miskovich,Walker S Pedersen

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00447

Abstract

As an index of behavioral inhibition and an individual’s propensity to avoid, rather than seek, potentially dangerous situations, harm avoidance has been linked to internalizing psychopathology. Altered connectivity within intrinsic functional neural networks (i.e., default mode [DMN], central executive [CEN] and salience networks [SN]) has been related to internalizing psychopathology; however, less is known about the effects of harm avoidance on functional connectivity within and between these networks. Importantly, harm avoidance may be distinguishable from trait anxiety and have clinical relevance as a risk factor for internalizing psychopathology. A sample of young adults (n = 99) completed a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan and self-report measures of harm avoidance and trait anxiety. Whole brain seed-to-voxel and seed-to-network connectivity analyses were conducted using anterior insula seeds to examine associations between harm avoidance/trait anxiety and connectivity. After adjusting for sex and age, there was a significant negative effect of harm avoidance on connectivity between the anterior insula and clusters in the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) left superior/middle frontal gyrus, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and bilateral inferior parietal lobule (IPL)/angular gyrus. Seed-to-network analyses indicated a negative effect of harm avoidance on connectivity between the right anterior insula and anterior and posterior DMN. There were no effects of trait anxiety on functional connectivity of the anterior insula. Overall, the results indicate that individual differences in harm avoidance relate to disruptions in internetwork connectivity that may contribute to deficits in appropriately modulating attentional focus.

Highlights

Harm avoidance, a personality trait reflecting individuals’ propensities to avoid potentially dangerous situations, has consistently been observed in depressive (Abrams et al, 2004; Smith et al, 2005) and anxious psychopathologies (Starcevic et al, 1996; Ettelt et al, 2008; Wachleski et al, 2008)
There were no significant differences in age or trait anxiety between males and females
The current study examined the associations between harm avoidance and resting state functional connectivity of the anterior insula

Summary

Introduction

A personality trait reflecting individuals’ propensities to avoid potentially dangerous situations, has consistently been observed in depressive (Abrams et al, 2004; Smith et al, 2005) and anxious psychopathologies (Starcevic et al, 1996; Ettelt et al, 2008; Wachleski et al, 2008). Harm Avoidance and Functional Connectivity tendency that subserves approach-avoidance behaviors, independent of psychopathology (Tellegen and Waller, 2008; Sylvers et al, 2011). Harm avoidance is thought to reflect hypersensitivity to danger, while, in contrast, general anxiety may correspond to a vague sense of fear and desire to escape that may not have an identifiable source (Tellegen and Waller, 2008). Harm avoidance may be characterized better as trait fear, rather than trait anxiety (Sylvers et al, 2011). Given the clinical relevance of this form of behavioral inhibition, examining individual differences in harm avoidance and its supporting neurobiological features may provide insight into mechanisms of risk for internalizing psychopathology

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