What is it about?
Do you have a negative bias? For example, do you overvalue criticism and downplay positive feedback? Negative bias is associated with higher depression and anxiety scores. Using high-resolution 7T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we identified a possible neural mechanism underlying negative bias in humans. Specifically, the functional interaction between habenula (which processes negative information) and VTA (which processes positive information) drives a negative learning bias, which is associated with higher anxiety and depression scores.
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Why is it important?
These results help us better understand individual differences in anxiety and depression traits and the underlying neural mechanisms.
Perspectives
I hope further research will investigate the possible biomarkers identified in this article in treatments for mood disorders.
Wanjun Lin
Aarhus Universitet
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Habenula–ventral tegmental area functional coupling and risk aversion in humans, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2500815122.
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