Unraveling emotional regulation through multimodal neuroimaging techniques

Abstract

Neuroimaging techniques have significantly advanced our understanding of emotional regulation by elucidating the neural mechanisms involved. This review synthesizes findings across multiple modalities—functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)—to highlight key insights into emotional processing. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala, hippocampus, and insula emerge as critical brain regions in regulating emotions. fMRI studies demonstrate increased PFC activity and decreased amygdala responses during effective emotion regulation, indicating top-down control mechanisms. EEG and MEG provide insights into the temporal dynamics of emotional responses, capturing rapid changes in neural activity during emotional tasks. PET and MRS studies reveal the neurochemical basis of emotional regulation, emphasizing the roles of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Integration of multimodal approaches, such as fMRI-EEG and fMRI-PET, enhances our understanding by combining spatial, temporal, and neurochemical specificity. Challenges include methodological limitations and the need for diverse participant samples to improve generalizability. Future research should focus on improving spatial and temporal resolution, adopting longitudinal and ecologically valid designs, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. These advancements hold promise for developing personalized interventions and treatments for emotional disorders by leveraging neuroimaging biomarkers and understanding the neural underpinnings of emotional regulation.