Source localization and functional network analysis in emotion cognitive reappraisal with EEG-fMRI integration.

Background: The neural activity and functional networks of emotion-based cognitive reappraisal have been widely investigated using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, single-mode neuroimaging techniques are limited in exploring the regulation process with high temporal and spatial resolution.

Objectives: We proposed a source localization method with multimodal integration of EEG and fMRI and tested it in the source-level functional network analysis of emotion cognitive reappraisal.

Methods: EEG and fMRI data were simultaneously recorded when 15 subjects were performing the emotional cognitive reappraisal task. Fused priori weighted minimum norm estimation (FWMNE) with sliding windows was proposed to trace the dynamics of EEG source activities, and the phase lag index (PLI) was used to construct the functional brain network associated with the process of downregulating negative affect using the reappraisal strategy.

Results: The functional networks were constructed with the measure of PLI, in which the important regions were indicated. In the gamma band source-level network analysis, the cuneus, the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, the superior parietal cortex, the postcentral gyrus, and the pars opercularis were identified as important regions in reappraisal with high betweenness centrality.

Conclusion: The proposed multimodal integration method for source localization identified the key cortices involved in emotion regulation, and the network analysis demonstrated the important brain regions involved in the cognitive control of reappraisal. It shows promise in the utility in the clinical setting for affective disorders.