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Linking subjective experience of anxiety to brain function using natural language processing.

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Title: Linking subjective experience of anxiety to brain function using natural language processing.
Authors: Kirk PA; Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA., Qamar P; Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA., Lentz J; Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA., Zugman A; Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA., Abend R; Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.; Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, 46150, Israel., Kircanski K; Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA., Pine DS; Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Source: Social cognitive and affective neuroscience [Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci] 2026 Jan 21; Vol. 21 (1).
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Oxford Journals, Oxford University Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101288795 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1749-5024 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17495016 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Oxford, UK : Oxford Journals, Oxford University Press
MeSH Terms: Brain*/physiopathology , Brain*/blood supply , Anxiety*/physiopathology , Anxiety*/psychology , Natural Language Processing*, Emotions/physiology ; Humans ; Female ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Brain Mapping ; Adolescent ; Child ; Motion Pictures ; Photic Stimulation ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Abstract: Research on anxiety focuses on clinically relevant behaviours and neurophysiological responses, particularly emphasizing recruitment of amygdala, insula, and cingulate cortex. Whether these same circuits instantiate subjective experience of anxiety remains unclear, a vital hurdle for clinical neuroscience. We used a semi-naturalistic, anxiogenic stimulus (animated movie) to evoke anxiety during fMRI in a pediatric sample with and without anxiety disorders (N = 84, before exclusion). After, participants provided verbal responses to interview questions about the stimulus. We quantified semantic content and valence of responses via natural language processing algorithms. Preregistered analyses found that wide-spread brain activity during the movie-including in the anterior insula cortex-related to participants' descriptions of the movie's narrative. Secondary analyses indicated anxiety symptoms were associated with insula responses, participants' descriptions of the movie's narrative, and appraisals. This study provides preliminary evidence that anxiety symptoms may shape patterns of insula activity during movie-watching, influencing the type of notable details later recalled. These findings underscore the utility of movie viewing paradigms in clinical neuroscience research on subjective emotional experiences in anxiety.
(Published by Oxford University Press 2025.)
References: Clin Psychol Sci. 2024 Jul;12(4):772-781. (PMID: 39526002)
Nature. 2022 Mar;603(7902):654-660. (PMID: 35296861)
JAMA Psychiatry. 2025 Mar 01;82(3):264-273. (PMID: 39693064)
Hum Brain Mapp. 2025 Mar;46(4):e70163. (PMID: 40042099)
Cereb Cortex. 2025 Jan 8;35(1):58-64. (PMID: 39422490)
Neuroimage. 2020 Jul 15;215:116828. (PMID: 32276065)
Front Hum Neurosci. 2013 May 17;7:203. (PMID: 23730279)
Neuroimage. 2021 Dec 15;245:118643. (PMID: 34699966)
Emotion. 2020 Aug;20(5):773-792. (PMID: 31192665)
Hum Brain Mapp. 2024 Mar;45(4):e26622. (PMID: 38488450)
Am J Psychiatry. 2021 Feb 1;178(2):156-164. (PMID: 33054384)
J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2007 Jul;48(7):631-48. (PMID: 17593144)
Hum Brain Mapp. 2022 Jul;43(10):3283-3292. (PMID: 35362645)
Mol Psychiatry. 2022 Mar;27(3):1322-1330. (PMID: 35079126)
PLoS One. 2022 Apr 14;17(4):e0265112. (PMID: 35421115)
Brain Struct Funct. 2010 Jun;214(5-6):535-49. (PMID: 20512367)
Nat Rev Neurosci. 2015 Jan;16(1):55-61. (PMID: 25406711)
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997 Jul;36(7):980-8. (PMID: 9204677)
Front Syst Neurosci. 2008 Nov 24;2:4. (PMID: 19104670)
Brain. 2021 Jul 28;144(6):1898-1910. (PMID: 33710282)
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Sep;152:105305. (PMID: 37414377)
J Cogn Neurosci. 2025 Jun 1;37(6):1023-1034. (PMID: 39792657)
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024 May;63(5):549-560. (PMID: 38070872)
Nat Methods. 2019 Jan;16(1):111-116. (PMID: 30532080)
Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci. 2022 Mar 31;3(3):409-417. (PMID: 37519469)
Neuroimage. 2011 Apr 15;55(4):1878-88. (PMID: 21256233)
Neuropsychologia. 2022 May 3;169:108194. (PMID: 35245529)
Cereb Cortex. 2018 Sep 1;28(9):3095-3114. (PMID: 28981612)
Neuroimage. 2020 May 1;211:116621. (PMID: 32058000)
Comput Biomed Res. 1996 Jun;29(3):162-73. (PMID: 8812068)
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997 Apr;36(4):545-53. (PMID: 9100430)
Nat Commun. 2022 Jul 22;13(1):4235. (PMID: 35869083)
Mol Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;27(1):164-179. (PMID: 34035474)
Am J Psychiatry. 2021 Feb 1;178(2):106-109. (PMID: 33517754)
Cereb Cortex. 2023 Jun 20;33(13):8164-8178. (PMID: 36994470)
Am J Psychiatry. 2016 Nov 1;173(11):1083-1093. (PMID: 27609244)
Neuroimage. 2012 Aug 15;62(2):774-81. (PMID: 22248573)
Grant Information: ZIAMH002781 Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Mental Health; Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH); NIH; NIH or the US Department of Health and Human Services; ZIA MH002781 United States ImNIH Intramural NIH HHS
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: anxiety; development; language; movie fMRI; natural language processing; naturalistic
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250926 Date Completed: 20260121 Latest Revision: 20260713
Update Code: 20260714
PubMed Central ID: PMC12823007
DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsaf099
PMID: 41002215
Database: MEDLINE
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  Data: Research on anxiety focuses on clinically relevant behaviours and neurophysiological responses, particularly emphasizing recruitment of amygdala, insula, and cingulate cortex. Whether these same circuits instantiate subjective experience of anxiety remains unclear, a vital hurdle for clinical neuroscience. We used a semi-naturalistic, anxiogenic stimulus (animated movie) to evoke anxiety during fMRI in a pediatric sample with and without anxiety disorders (N = 84, before exclusion). After, participants provided verbal responses to interview questions about the stimulus. We quantified semantic content and valence of responses via natural language processing algorithms. Preregistered analyses found that wide-spread brain activity during the movie-including in the anterior insula cortex-related to participants' descriptions of the movie's narrative. Secondary analyses indicated anxiety symptoms were associated with insula responses, participants' descriptions of the movie's narrative, and appraisals. This study provides preliminary evidence that anxiety symptoms may shape patterns of insula activity during movie-watching, influencing the type of notable details later recalled. These findings underscore the utility of movie viewing paradigms in clinical neuroscience research on subjective emotional experiences in anxiety.<br /> (Published by Oxford University Press 2025.)
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  Data: Clin Psychol Sci. 2024 Jul;12(4):772-781. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239526002%22">39526002)</searchLink><br />Nature. 2022 Mar;603(7902):654-660. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235296861%22">35296861)</searchLink><br />JAMA Psychiatry. 2025 Mar 01;82(3):264-273. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239693064%22">39693064)</searchLink><br />Hum Brain Mapp. 2025 Mar;46(4):e70163. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2240042099%22">40042099)</searchLink><br />Cereb Cortex. 2025 Jan 8;35(1):58-64. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239422490%22">39422490)</searchLink><br />Neuroimage. 2020 Jul 15;215:116828. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2232276065%22">32276065)</searchLink><br />Front Hum Neurosci. 2013 May 17;7:203. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2223730279%22">23730279)</searchLink><br />Neuroimage. 2021 Dec 15;245:118643. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234699966%22">34699966)</searchLink><br />Emotion. 2020 Aug;20(5):773-792. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2231192665%22">31192665)</searchLink><br />Hum Brain Mapp. 2024 Mar;45(4):e26622. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2238488450%22">38488450)</searchLink><br />Am J Psychiatry. 2021 Feb 1;178(2):156-164. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2233054384%22">33054384)</searchLink><br />J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2007 Jul;48(7):631-48. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2217593144%22">17593144)</searchLink><br />Hum Brain Mapp. 2022 Jul;43(10):3283-3292. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235362645%22">35362645)</searchLink><br />Mol Psychiatry. 2022 Mar;27(3):1322-1330. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235079126%22">35079126)</searchLink><br />PLoS One. 2022 Apr 14;17(4):e0265112. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235421115%22">35421115)</searchLink><br />Brain Struct Funct. 2010 Jun;214(5-6):535-49. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2220512367%22">20512367)</searchLink><br />Nat Rev Neurosci. 2015 Jan;16(1):55-61. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2225406711%22">25406711)</searchLink><br />J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997 Jul;36(7):980-8. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%229204677%22">9204677)</searchLink><br />Front Syst Neurosci. 2008 Nov 24;2:4. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2219104670%22">19104670)</searchLink><br />Brain. 2021 Jul 28;144(6):1898-1910. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2233710282%22">33710282)</searchLink><br />Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Sep;152:105305. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237414377%22">37414377)</searchLink><br />J Cogn Neurosci. 2025 Jun 1;37(6):1023-1034. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239792657%22">39792657)</searchLink><br />J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024 May;63(5):549-560. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2238070872%22">38070872)</searchLink><br />Nat Methods. 2019 Jan;16(1):111-116. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2230532080%22">30532080)</searchLink><br />Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci. 2022 Mar 31;3(3):409-417. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237519469%22">37519469)</searchLink><br />Neuroimage. 2011 Apr 15;55(4):1878-88. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2221256233%22">21256233)</searchLink><br />Neuropsychologia. 2022 May 3;169:108194. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235245529%22">35245529)</searchLink><br />Cereb Cortex. 2018 Sep 1;28(9):3095-3114. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2228981612%22">28981612)</searchLink><br />Neuroimage. 2020 May 1;211:116621. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2232058000%22">32058000)</searchLink><br />Comput Biomed Res. 1996 Jun;29(3):162-73. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%228812068%22">8812068)</searchLink><br />J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997 Apr;36(4):545-53. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%229100430%22">9100430)</searchLink><br />Nat Commun. 2022 Jul 22;13(1):4235. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235869083%22">35869083)</searchLink><br />Mol Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;27(1):164-179. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234035474%22">34035474)</searchLink><br />Am J Psychiatry. 2021 Feb 1;178(2):106-109. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2233517754%22">33517754)</searchLink><br />Cereb Cortex. 2023 Jun 20;33(13):8164-8178. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236994470%22">36994470)</searchLink><br />Am J Psychiatry. 2016 Nov 1;173(11):1083-1093. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2227609244%22">27609244)</searchLink><br />Neuroimage. 2012 Aug 15;62(2):774-81. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2222248573%22">22248573)</searchLink>
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  Data: <i>Keywords: </i>anxiety; development; language; movie fMRI; natural language processing; naturalistic
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Emotions physiology
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