Neuroscientific aspects of emotional regulation

Authors

  • Chantal Martin-Sölch

Abstract

The present article reviews empirical studies on emotional regulation in the human brain and integrates these findings into a wider theoretical framework comprising psychological and neurobiological concepts. Studies testing healthy subjects are discussed as well as studies testing patients suffering from psychiatric disorders associated with dysfunctional emotional regulation, such as depression, anxiety or borderline personality disorders. The conclusion is that the results obtained with neuroimaging methods do not yield direct implications for psychotherapeutic treatment of psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, neuroscientific research proves to be important for clinical applications. Finally, results from a study investigating the effect of psychotherapy on brain activity are reported. These results demonstrate that psychotherapy and psychopharmacological treatment similarly affect brain metabolism.

Key words:
Neuroimaging; Emotions; Psychotherapy; Neurosciences; Borderline; Addiction; Striatum; Amygdala

Author Biography

Chantal Martin-Sölch

Dr. C. Martin-Sölch, Studium der Psychologie an der Universität Fribourg (CH) mit Neurobiologie als Nebenfach. Mitarbeit und Promotion in der Positronemissionstomographie-Abteilung des Paul-Scherrer-Instituts, zurzeit Oberassistentin am Institut für Psychologie der Universität Basel und Leiterin verschiedener Forschungsprojekte über die psychologischen und neuronalen Grundlagen von emotionalen Prozessen.

Korrespondenz: Dr. Chantal Martin-Sölch, Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychologie und Methodologie, Institut für Psychologie, Universität Basel, Missionsstrasse 60-62, 4055 Basel, Schweiz

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Published

2004-04-01

How to Cite

Martin-Sölch, C. (2004). Neuroscientific aspects of emotional regulation. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, (2), 71–78. Retrieved from https://psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info/article/view/398

Issue

No. 2 (2004): Psychotherapie Forum 12/2 (veröffentlicht bei Springer Wien New York)

Section

Special Issue

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