Optimism in Brain in Same Area As Depression

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Optimism in Brain in Same Area As Depression

(October 26, 2007) -- A study relying on imaging the brains of a small group of subjects has identified the brain regions that are activated by optimism. The findings were published online Wednesday by the journal Nature.

It turns out humans use the same part of the brain to look on the sunny side that also shows irregularities in people suffering from depression.

The researchers, led by Elizabeth Phelps at New York University, did functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brains of 15 volunteers, ages 18 to 36, while they thought of possible future life events, such as winning an award or the end of a romantic relationship.

When they imagined positive future events relative to negative ones, the scans detected enhanced activity in areas called the rostral anterior cingulated and the amygdala, the same brain areas that seem to malfunction during depression. All the functions of these regions are uncertain, but lots of earlier research suggests there's some regulation of emotion and decision-making involved.

The NYU researchers noted that, in general, the seven men and eight women in the study were more likely to expect positive events to happen in the near future than negative events, and to imagine them with greater vividness.

Phelps, a professor of psychology and neural science, said the results indicate that while it's difficult to change our outlook on the past, "the future is open to interpretation, allowing people to distance themselves from possible negative events and move closer toward positive ones."

Understanding the basis for optimism is important, because a positive outlook has been related to both physical and mental health, while a pessimistic view matches up with the severity of depression, Phelps explained.

Source: Cincinnati Post

Last updated: 10/07

Optimism in Brain in Same Area As Depression

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