Skip to content
Get in touch

Research › QEEG, Methods & Mechanisms

Decrease of prefrontal–posterior EEG coherence: Loose control during social–emotional stimulation

Share

Suggested message

Check out this Knowledge Base article from StressTherapy Solutions: Decrease of prefrontal–posterior EEG coherence: Loose control during social–emotional stimulation.

Facebook LinkedIn Email

Facebook doesn't let websites fill in your post. Use Copy message, then paste it in.

Study at a glance

Area
QEEG, Methods & Mechanisms
Study type
Observational study
Authors
Reiser EM, Schulter G, Weiss EM, Fink A, Rominger C, Papousek I
Journal
Brain and Cognition
Year
2012
Protocol
EEG coherence during an emotional stimulation paradigm

Key findings

  • Higher trait absorption and rumination were linked to decreased prefrontal-posterior beta coherence during emotional stimulation
  • Coherence increased in people low in absorption or rumination
  • Coherence changes did not predict how much participants took on the displayed emotions
  • When prefrontal-posterior coupling decreased, feelings of sadness and anxiety tended to persist afterward

DOI 10.1016/j.bandc.2012.06.001 → PubMed 22750775 →

Two experiments examined whether changes in EEG coherence between prefrontal and posterior brain regions reflect how strongly people are affected by other people's emotions. Two independent samples watched (study 1) or listened to (study 2) people expressing sadness or anxiety and were invited to empathize with them. People high in trait absorption or rumination showed falling beta coherence during the stimulation, while those low in these traits showed rising coherence. The authors conclude that looser prefrontal-posterior coupling may mean weaker prefrontal control over incoming emotional input and deeper emotional involvement.