Understanding the neural architecture of emotion regulation by comparing two different strategies: A meta-analytic approach

TL;DR

This meta-analysis compares neural mechanisms of reappraisal and acceptance strategies in emotion regulation, revealing both shared and distinct brain activity patterns, and proposing a model of core and strategy-specific neural processes.

Contribution

It provides a comparative neural analysis of reappraisal and acceptance, highlighting common and unique brain mechanisms involved in emotion regulation.

Findings

Both strategies increase activity in the left-inferior frontal gyrus and insula.

Reappraisal decreases activity in basal ganglia.

Acceptance decreases activity in limbic regions.

Abstract

In the emotion regulation literature, the amount of neuroimaging studies on cognitive reappraisal led the impression that the same top-down, control-related neural mechanisms characterize all emotion regulation strategies. However, top-down processes may coexist with more bottom-up and emotion-focused processes that partially bypass the recruitment of executive functions. A case in point is acceptance-based strategies. To better understand neural commonalities and differences behind different emotion regulation strategies, in the present study we applied a meta-analytic method to fMRI studies of task-related activity of reappraisal and acceptance. Results showed increased activity in left-inferior frontal gyrus and insula for both strategies, and decreased activity in the basal ganglia for reappraisal, and decreased activity in limbic regions for acceptance. These findings are discussed in the context of a model of common and specific neural mechanisms of emotion regulation that support and expand the previous dual-routes models. We suggest that emotion regulation may rely on a core inhibitory circuit, and on strategy-specific top-down and bottom-up processes distinct for different strategies.