Affective Network Hyperconnectivity and Hypoconnectivity of Cognitive Control and Ventral Attention Networks in Adults with High Neuroticism Scores

Introduction: Subjects with high neuroticism are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as negative, and this might contribute to a predisposition toward mood and anxiety disorders. The aim of our study was to determine the localization of neuroticism-related Resting State Functional Connectivity (RSFC) differences between the two groups of high and low neuroticism, and to confirm our hypothesis that subjects with high neuroticism show hyper connectivity in the affective network and hypo connectivity in the cognitive control and attention networks. Methods: Forty three healthy participants underwent resting state fMRI and completed the NEO Five Factor Personality Inventory. SPM8 and CONN software was used to pre-process and analyse resting state fMRI data. Correlation maps were produced between seed regions of the affective, cognitive control, attention and default mode networks and differences were analysed between groups fully corrected for multiple testing across the whole brain. Results: Participants with high neuroticism scores displayed significantly greater functional connectivity in the affective network. There was significantly less functional connectivity in the cognitive control network and ventral attention network for participants with high neuroticism scores when compared to those with low neuroticism scores. Discussion: Affective network hyper connectivity might be related to emotional problems or mood disorders that are associated with high neuroticism. Additionally, the hypo connectivity seen in the cognitive control network might have to do with inattention and cognitive deficits that have consistently been found in major depression and anxiety disorders. Thus, oversensitivity in affective systems and at the same time reduced cognitive control might be in line with increased stress sensitivity and emotional liability in subjects with high neuroticism.