Threat Sensitivity is Related to Enhanced Contingent Negative Variation Amplitude During an Attention Network Test Under Threat of Shock

Abstract

Threat sensitivity is a heritable trait that reflects fearful tendencies in a variety of contexts and is considered a vulnerability factor for anxiety psychopathology. The contingent negative variation (CNV) is a negative-going event-related potential component that is elicited following the presentation of warning stimuli. It is thought to reflect cortical activity governing anticipation and preparation. The current study investigated the relationship between threat sensitivity and CNV amplitude during an attention network test (ANT) under threat of electric shock.