A Social Cognitive Neuroscience Approach A Social Cognitive Neuroscience Approach to Emotion Regulation: to Emotion Regulation:

Implications for Substance AbuseImplications for Substance Abuse

Kevin OchsnerKevin Ochsner

OLUMBIA NIVERSITYOLUMBIA NIVERSITYCC UUSSocial/ocial/CCognitive/ognitive/AAffective/ffective/NNeuroscience euroscience UUnitnit

Research supported by NIDA,Research supported by NIDA, NIH, NSFNIH, NSF

Our Research VillageOur Research Village

Stanford(past)

James GrossJames Gross Becky RayBecky Ray Elaine Elaine RobertsonRobertsonJohn GabrieliJohn Gabrieli Jeff CooperJeff Cooper

Columbia(present)

Tor WagerTor Wager

Ethan KrossEthan KrossBrent HughesBrent HughesMatthew Matthew DavidsonDavidsonHedy KoberHedy Kober

Walter MischelWalter MischelCarl HartCarl Hart

How could he have controlled his substance-abusing impulses?

1.1. Describe research that builds a model of the Describe research that builds a model of the brain bases of effective emotion regulationbrain bases of effective emotion regulation

2.2. Consider how this model might be translated to Consider how this model might be translated to help understand mechanisms of substance abuse help understand mechanisms of substance abuse & its treatment& its treatment

Affect Regulation & Substance AbuseAffect Regulation & Substance Abuse

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.revoke at any moment.

-Marcus Aurelius-Marcus Aurelius

1. Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation1. Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to thing itself, but to your estimate of ityour estimate of it; and this you have the power to ; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.revoke at any moment.

-Marcus Aurelius-Marcus Aurelius

AversiveAversiveStimulus/Stimulus/

EventEvent

Appraise SignificanceSignificance

Emotional Emotional ResponseResponse

1. Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation1. Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power topower to revokerevoke at any moment. at any moment.

-Marcus Aurelius-Marcus Aurelius

Aversive Aversive Stimulus/Stimulus/

EventEvent

Re-Re-appraise SignificanceSignificance

AlteredAltered ResponseResponse

1. Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation1. Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation

Instructional Instructional cuecue

2 secs2 secs 10 secs10 secs

Photo Photo periodperiod

Affect Affect ratingrating

Intertrial Intertrial intervalinterval

~4 secs~4 secs ~4-5 secs~4-5 secs

Typical Design for Studying Typical Design for Studying Re-Re-appraisalappraisal

RELAXRELAX

Strength ofStrength ofAffectAffectREAPPRAISE

orLOOK

weak strong

1 2 3 4 5

Think about image in way that Think about image in way that makes you feel less negative….makes you feel less negative….

Increase Negative Affect

Decrease Negative Affect

““He’s in pain, is weak of heart, may die soon….”….”

Think about image in a way that Think about image in a way that makes you feel more neg....makes you feel more neg....

““He’s just tired/annoyed, is hearty, will be right as rain….”….”

CommonCommonCoreCore

Goal- Goal- SpecificSpecific

Strategy- Strategy- SpecificSpecific

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

Stimulus or Stimulus or Emotion- Emotion- SpecificSpecific

4. When you reappraise

Time Time SpecificSpecific

3. What you reappraise

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

CommonCommonCoreCore

Two goals:Two goals:Strategy- Strategy- SpecificSpecific

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

Stimulus or Stimulus or Emotion- Emotion- SpecificSpecific

4. When you reappraise

Time Time SpecificSpecific

3. What you reappraise

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

NegativeNegativeAffectAffect

Increasing Increasing Neg Affect Neg Affect

((IncreaseIncrease > Look) > Look)

Lateral PFCLateral PFC

Decreasing Decreasing Neg Affect Neg Affect

((DecreaseDecrease > Look) > Look)

Common PFC regions for each reappraisal GoalCommon PFC regions for each reappraisal Goal

N = 23

Ochsner, Ray, Robertson, Cooper, Gabrieli & Gross (2004)Ochsner, Ray, Robertson, Cooper, Gabrieli & Gross (2004)

Amygdala modulated up or down in accord with reappraisal goalAmygdala modulated up or down in accord with reappraisal goal

0-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16-.2

-.15

-.1

-.05

0

.05

.1

.15

.2

Look > Look > Decrease

Decrease

Look-neg

Look-neuPhotoPhoto10 secs10 secs

CueCue2sec2sec

% s

igna

l cha

nge

% s

igna

l cha

nge

Lag

-.25

-.15

-.05

.05

.15

.25

.35

PhotoPhoto10 secs10 secs

CueCue2sec2sec

% s

igna

l cha

nge

% s

igna

l cha

nge

Increase > Look > Look

Lag

Increase

Look-neu

Look-neg

Bilateral Activation for Decreasing Neg AffectBilateral Activation for Decreasing Neg AffectWager, Ochsner, Hughes & Davidson (Wager, Ochsner, Hughes & Davidson (in prep)in prep)

DecreaseDecrease > Look > Look

WM / Language / Response Selection regionsWM / Language / Response Selection regions

RightLeft

N = 34, optimized

Left Right

DecreaseDecrease > Look > Look

Bilateral Activation for Decreasing Neg AffectBilateral Activation for Decreasing Neg AffectWager, Ochsner, Hughes & Davidson (Wager, Ochsner, Hughes & Davidson (in prep)in prep)

Activity in many regions correlates withActivity in many regions correlates with Reappraisal SuccessReappraisal Success

N = 34, optimized

Left Right

DecreaseDecrease > Look > Look

Bilateral Activation for Decreasing Neg AffectBilateral Activation for Decreasing Neg AffectWager, Ochsner, Hughes & Davidson (Wager, Ochsner, Hughes & Davidson (in prep)in prep)

N = 34, optimized

Activity in many regions correlates withActivity in many regions correlates with Reappraisal SuccessReappraisal Success

Drop in Neg Affect

r = .63

Drop in Neg Affect

r = .49

Core Prefrontal-Amygdala interactions Core Prefrontal-Amygdala interactions Underlying the Cognitive Control of EmotionUnderlying the Cognitive Control of Emotion

(Ochsner, in press; Ochsner & Gross, 2004, 2005, in press; cf. Beer et al, 2004; Lieberman et al, 2005)(Ochsner, in press; Ochsner & Gross, 2004, 2005, in press; cf. Beer et al, 2004; Lieberman et al, 2005)

Medial

Lateral

Lateral PFCLateral PFC

Top-down Top-down implementation implementation

of cognitive of cognitive reappraisalsreappraisals

Monitor reappraisal

success

Anterior Anterior Cingulate Cingulate

CortexCortex

AmygdalaAmygdalaGenerate

initial response

PFC/ACC PFC/ACC - Amyg- Amyg

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

4. When you reappraise

Goal- Goal- SpecificSpecific

Strategy- Strategy- SpecificSpecific

Stimulus or Stimulus or Emotion- Emotion- SpecificSpecific

Time Time SpecificSpecific

3. What you reappraise

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

PFC/ACC PFC/ACC - Amyg- Amyg

DMPFCDMPFC

Right LPFC Right LPFC

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

4. When you reappraise

Stimulus or Stimulus or Emotion- Emotion- SpecificSpecific

Time Time SpecificSpecific

Strategy- Strategy- SpecificSpecific

3. What you reappraise

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 2002, 2004;2002, 2004;

Wager, Ochsner Wager, Ochsner et al, et al, in prepin prep

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

PFC/ACC PFC/ACC - Amyg- Amyg

DMPFCDMPFC

Right LPFC Right LPFC

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

4. When you reappraise

Stimulus or Stimulus or Emotion- Emotion- SpecificSpecific

Time Time SpecificSpecific

3. What you reappraise

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 20042004

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

Medial PFC Medial PFC for self-for self-

focused stratsfocused strats

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 2002, 2004;2002, 2004;

Wager, Ochsner Wager, Ochsner et al, et al, in prepin prep

PFC/ACC PFC/ACC - Amyg- Amyg

DMPFCDMPFC

Right LPFC Right LPFC

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

4. When you reappraise

Time Time SpecificSpecific

3. What you reappraise

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 20042004

Kross & Kross & Ochsner Ochsner in prepin prep

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

Left PFC for Left PFC for memories, like memories, like

imagesimages

Medial PFC Medial PFC for self-for self-

focused stratsfocused strats

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 2002, 2004;2002, 2004;

Wager, Ochsner Wager, Ochsner et al, et al, in prepin prep

PFC/ACC PFC/ACC - Amyg- Amyg

DMPFCDMPFC

Right LPFC Right LPFC

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

4. When you reappraise

Pre-appraisal = Pre-appraisal = LPFC, like LPFC, like

ReappReapp

Left PFC for Left PFC for memories, like memories, like

imagesimages3. What you reappraise

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 20042004

Kross & Kross & Ochsner Ochsner in prepin prep

Wager, Ochsner Wager, Ochsner et al, et al, in prepin prep

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

Medial PFC Medial PFC for self-for self-

focused stratsfocused strats

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 2002, 2004;2002, 2004;

Wager, Ochsner Wager, Ochsner et al, et al, in prepin prep

PFC/ACC PFC/ACC - Amyg- Amyg

DMPFCDMPFC

Right LPFC Right LPFC

1. Why you reappraise

2. How you reappraise

4. When you reappraise

Building the ModelBuilding the Model

Pre-appraisal = Pre-appraisal = LPFC, like LPFC, like

ReappReapp

5. Who reappraises

3. What you reappraise

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 20042004

Kross & Kross & Ochsner Ochsner in prepin prep

Wager, Ochsner Wager, Ochsner et al, et al, in prepin prep

Ray, Ochsner et Ray, Ochsner et al, al, 20062006

Left PFC for Left PFC for memories, like memories, like

imagesimages

Medial PFC Medial PFC for self-for self-

focused stratsfocused strats

Ochsner et al, Ochsner et al, 2002, 2004;2002, 2004;

Wager, Ochsner Wager, Ochsner et al, in prepet al, in prep

2. Translating the Model2. Translating the Model

Craving, Craving, Drug UseDrug Use

Cooling Cooling ReappraisalsReappraisals

PFC/ACC

Amyg/Striatum

Arousing Arousing AppraisalsAppraisals

Aversive Aversive need states, need states,

drugs or drugs or related cuesrelated cues

How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?

2. Translating the Model2. Translating the Model

Aversive Aversive need states, need states,

drugs or drugs or related cuesrelated cues

Craving, Craving, Drug UseDrug Use

Cooling Cooling ReappraisalsReappraisals

PFC/ACC

Amyg/Striatum

Arousing Arousing AppraisalsAppraisals Craving, Craving,

Drug UseDrug UseAmyg/Striatum

Non-arousing Non-arousing AppraisalsAppraisals

How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?

2. Translating the Model2. Translating the Model

Cooling Cooling ReappraisalsReappraisals

PFC/ACC

Craving, Craving, Drug UseDrug UseAmyg/Striatum

Arousing Arousing AppraisalsAppraisals

Aversive Aversive need states, need states,

drugs or drugs or related cuesrelated cues

How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?

2. Translating the Model2. Translating the Model

Cooling Cooling ReappraisalsReappraisals

PFC/ACC

Craving, Craving, Drug UseDrug UseAmyg/Striatum

Arousing Arousing AppraisalsAppraisals

Aversive Aversive need states, need states,

drugs or drugs or related cuesrelated cues

How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?

How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?How does affect regulation play a role in substance abuse?

2. Translating the Model2. Translating the Model

Craving, Craving, Drug UseDrug Use

Cooling Cooling ReappraisalsReappraisals

PFC/ACC

Amyg/Striatum

Arousing Arousing AppraisalsAppraisals

1.1. Drugs and drug cues “turn on” affective circuits (e.g. Breiter et al.; Drugs and drug cues “turn on” affective circuits (e.g. Breiter et al.; Grant Grant et al.;et al.; Volkow et al.Volkow et al.))

2.2. Long term use may damage control circuits (e.g. London et al.; Nordahl Long term use may damage control circuits (e.g. London et al.; Nordahl et al.)et al.)

3.3. Drug users have self-regulatory deficitsDrug users have self-regulatory deficits• Childhood deficits predispose towards drug use (e.g. Mischel et al.) Childhood deficits predispose towards drug use (e.g. Mischel et al.) • Deficits in lab tasks following drug useDeficits in lab tasks following drug use (e.g. Garavan & Stout)(e.g. Garavan & Stout)

Aversive Aversive need states, need states,

drugs or drugs or related cuesrelated cues

The Translational FutureThe Translational FutureA 2-step, translational social cognitive neuroscience approach to A 2-step, translational social cognitive neuroscience approach to emotion regulation may be useful for understanding substance emotion regulation may be useful for understanding substance abuse……abuse……

Q:Q: But will it be successful?But will it be successful?

A:A: Yes. Yes. 1.1. Extant work has characterized cognitive and structural Extant work has characterized cognitive and structural

neural deficits, but has not examined socioemotional neural deficits, but has not examined socioemotional functions and the ability to regulate functions and the ability to regulate per se, per se, which is which is central to treatmentcentral to treatment

2.2. Can show how specific regulatory mechanisms are Can show how specific regulatory mechanisms are dysfunctional – or effective dysfunctional – or effective –– which may be useful for which may be useful for designing treatments that target themdesigning treatments that target them

3.3. The same 2-step process already has been successful in The same 2-step process already has been successful in applying Cog Neuro models of memory and attention to applying Cog Neuro models of memory and attention to Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia, and substance abuseMood Disorders, Schizophrenia, and substance abuse

If you are If you are distresseddistressed by anything external, the by anything external, the painpain is not due to the is not due to the thing itself, but to your thing itself, but to your estimateestimate of it; and this you have the power to of it; and this you have the power to revokerevoke at any moment. at any moment.

- Marcus Aurelius- Marcus Aurelius

If you If you desiredesire anything external, the anything external, the urgeurge is not due to the thing itself, is not due to the thing itself, but to your but to your estimateestimate of it; and this you have the power to of it; and this you have the power to revokerevoke at any at any moment.moment.

- Marcus Aurelius - Marcus Aurelius