24 Sep Where Does Optimism Reside in the Brain?

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Sanda Dolcos PhD
Post-doc Fellow
University of Illinois

Medical Research: What is the background for this study?

Dr. Dolcos : With its high prevalence rate, anxiety is a pressing
concern in our society. Identifying psychological and neural markers
indexing resilience against anxiety will help the development of
prevention and intervention programs. It has been recognized that
trait optimism fosters resilience against anxiety, and the
orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is sensitive to anxiety symptoms, but the
relationship among the factors at these different levels
–personality, brain, and symptoms– has not been clear.

Medical Research:  What are the main findings?

1) trait optimism was associated with lower level of
anxiety

2) trait optimism is positively associated with the left OFC
volume

3) the left OFC volume was negatively linked to anxiety, a
relation partially accounted for by their mutual association with
trait optimism.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Dolcos : This study identified  orbitofrontal cortex volume and trait optimism as resilience  factors associated with lower level of anxiety symptoms. In light of
current evidence showing that both factors are malleable to training
effects, it is promising that interventions targeting OFC function or
those aiming to increase optimism can improve anxiety symptoms. From
these, practices cultivating optimism are accessible to both
clinicians and patients.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Dolcos : This study opens possible avenues for the development of training/intervention programs, which can target the brain and/or
personality traits, such as optimism and positive affect. Studies
using such interventions will also help establish causal effects in
the relations among brain, personality, and symptom level factors.

Citation:

Sanda Dolcos et al. Optimism and the Brain: Trait Optimism Mediates the Protective Role of the Orbitofrontal Cortex Gray Matter Volume against Anxiety. Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, September 2015 DOI: 1093/scan/nsv106

[wysija_form id=”5″]

MedicalResearch.com is not a forum for the exchange of personal medical information, advice or the promotion of self-destructive behavior (e.g., eating disorders, suicide). While you may freely discuss your troubles, you should not look to the Website for information or advice on such topics. Instead, we recommend that you talk in person with a trusted medical professional.

The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.

Dr. Sanda Dolcos PhD (2015). Where Does Optimism Reside in the Brain? 

Last Updated on September 28, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD