Soothing the emotional brain: modulation of neural activity to personal emotional stimulation by social touch

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Authors

KRAUS Jakub FRICK Andreas ROMAN Robert JURKOVIČOVÁ Lenka MAREČEK Radek MIKL Michal BRÁZDIL Milan FREDRIKSON Mats

Year of publication 2019
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Medicine

Citation
Web https://academic.oup.com/scan/advance-article/doi/10.1093/scan/nsz090/5671638
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsz090
Keywords holding hands; anterior cingulate; anterior insula; attachment; connectivity
Description Social touch may modulate emotions, but the neurobehavioral correlates are poorly understood. Here, we investigated neural responses to a picture of a deceased close person and if neural activity and connectivity are modulated by social touch from one’s romantic partner. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found altered reactivity in several brain areas including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the anterior insula in response to the personal picture compared to a picture of an unfamiliar person. Hand holding with the romantic partner, compared to being alone, reduced reactivity in the ACC and cerebellum and provided subjective comfort. To separate physical touch from the emotional effect of partner presence, we evaluated hand holding with the partner relative to a stranger and found reduced reactivity in the anterior insula. Connectivity between the anterior insula and the ACC was reduced during partner touch, and the connectivity strength was negatively related to attachment security, with higher reported partner security associated with weaker connectivity. Overall, holding hands with one’s partner attenuates reactivity in emotional brain areas and reduces between-region connectivity.
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