Urry et al. (explanations for disorders)

Question 1

key terms

Answer 1

PTSD
amygdala
vmPFC
cognitive reappraisal (changing how one views and thinks about a certain situation)

Question 2

participants

Answer 2

19 participants without PTSD

Question 3

aim

Answer 3

to investigate the effect of cognitive reappraisal on amygdala activation

Question 4

method

Answer 4

participants lay in fMRI and are flashed a range of emotional stimuli and are asked to cognitively reappraise the stimuli by
- increasing (imagine it is happening to a loved one for example)
- decreasing (imagine it is not real or has a better outcome)
- attending (maintain focus on the stimuli)

measured brain activity

Question 5

results

Answer 5

negative correlation between vmPFC and amygdala activation

the higher activity in vmPFC, the lower in amygdala

in other words, the increase of activity in a region that controls impulsivity and regulates emotions resulted in the decrease of activity in a region that can spark a stress reaction

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

positive cognitive reappraisal could potentially help to reduce the stress and anxiety caused by PTSD