Sex differences in neural mechanisms of social and non-social threat monitoring

• DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101038
• Publication Date: 2021-11-18T17:49:14Z
• Authors: Tessa Clarkson; Yvette Karvay; Megan Quarmley; Johanna M. Jarcho
• Keywords: Social decision making; Social rejection

Adolescent males and females differ in their responses to social threat. Yet, threat processing is often probed non-social contexts using the error-related negativity (ERN; Flanker EEG Task), which does not yield sex-specific outcomes. fMRI studies show inconsistent patterns of neural engagement during processing. Thus, relation between across sexes effects perceived level on brain function are unclear. We tested interactive effect threat-vigilance (ERN), sex (N = 69; Male=34; 11-14-year-olds), while anticipating feedback from 'unpredictable', 'nice', or 'mean' purported peers (fMRI; Virtual School Paradigm). Whole-brain analyses revealed differential precentral inferior frontal gyri, putamen, anterior cingulate cortex, insula. Among with more threat-vigilant ERNs, greater was associated increased activation when unpredictable feedback. Region interest this same amygdala hippocampus mean vigilance relates depending threat, but peer-based regions engaged, sexes. This may partially explain divergent psychosocial outcomes adolescence.