Introduction: A largely unexplored research field is the neurobiology of complex emotions like the sublime or ‘awe’. A question that naturally arises is whether the self-transcendent awe emotion can be used as a therapeutic tool for depression. To access knowledge regarding its therapeutic potentialities, a deeper understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this complex emotional experience is needed. Aim: This research aims to investigate the brain activity and connectivity correlates of different instances of the awe emotion induced in a laboratory to ultimately set the ground for the development of awe-based experiential therapies for depression. The study was made possible by an innovative experimental setup that enables the participants’ navigation within different nature-based virtual reality scenarios (VRS), prototypical awe-inducing stimuli [2], and the recording of simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG). Methods: The EEG dataset was collected from 12 young subjects (6F, 6M, 29,00 ± 0,66 years). The EEG data was recorded using a 64-channel Geodesic EEG system at rest and during the navigation in four VRS, three awe-inducing and one of reference [1]. For each EEG dataset and subject, after a standard preprocessing, a 30-second window was extracted (immediately after the maximum awe intensity in the awe-inducing VRS). In the main EEG frequency bands, the signal complexity was explored using nonlinear methods, Wavelet Entropy (WE) and Power Spectral Entropy (PSE) [3]. Significant differences in the EEG complexity in (i) awe-inducing vs. reference VRS and (ii) VRS vs. rest were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test (p<0.05). A full factorial Generalized Linear Model analysis was performed to measure the association between EEG complexity features and subjective awe intensities associated with the different VRS. The Granger Causality Analysis was computed among the EEG channels that were mostly involved in the emotional processing. The Partial Directed Coherence allowed us to measure the intensity of directional information among couples of EEG nodes. Results: VRS vs. rest, and awe-inducing vs. reference VRS elicited a decrease of entropy in theta and alpha bands, and an increase of entropy in delta, beta, and low gamma bands. The brain regions that showed a positive correlation between the entropy EEG features and awe intensity were the left temporal, right central, and bilateral frontal ones. During the VRS navigation, the EEG information, regardless of the frequency band, was generally flowing from the central and temporo-parietal lobes’ electrodes (E15, E22 and E26) to those in the frontal lobe (E2 and E13), with a preference to the left frontal lobe’s electrode (E2). The amount of information between channels E2 and E15 resulted to be significantly correlated with awe. Discussion: In our study, the use of nonlinear entropy metrics allowed us to detect significant changes in brain functional complexity during awe experiences induced in a laboratory setting. This preliminary evidence should be reproduced on larger samples and complemented with evidence on individuals affected by depression. By enlightening the biological and psychological correlates of awe experiences, our study sets the ground for assessing their therapeutic potentialities for mental health.

Carbone, F., Bondi, E., Massalha, Y., Anastasi, A., Pescuma, V., Ferro, A., Pizzolante, M., Chirico, A., Schiena, G., Gaggioli, A., Mazzocut-Mis, M., Brambilla, P., Maggioni, E., Brain complexity EEG analysis of the sublime experience induced in virtual reality: a future antidepressant treatment?, <<NEUROSCIENCE APPLIED>>, 2023; 2 (Volume 2, Supplement 2): 118-118. [doi:10.1016/j.nsa.2023.102673] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/303462]

Brain complexity EEG analysis of the sublime experience induced in virtual reality: a future antidepressant treatment?

Ferro, Adele;Pizzolante, Marta;Chirico, Alice;Gaggioli, Andrea;
2023

Abstract

Introduction: A largely unexplored research field is the neurobiology of complex emotions like the sublime or ‘awe’. A question that naturally arises is whether the self-transcendent awe emotion can be used as a therapeutic tool for depression. To access knowledge regarding its therapeutic potentialities, a deeper understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this complex emotional experience is needed. Aim: This research aims to investigate the brain activity and connectivity correlates of different instances of the awe emotion induced in a laboratory to ultimately set the ground for the development of awe-based experiential therapies for depression. The study was made possible by an innovative experimental setup that enables the participants’ navigation within different nature-based virtual reality scenarios (VRS), prototypical awe-inducing stimuli [2], and the recording of simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG). Methods: The EEG dataset was collected from 12 young subjects (6F, 6M, 29,00 ± 0,66 years). The EEG data was recorded using a 64-channel Geodesic EEG system at rest and during the navigation in four VRS, three awe-inducing and one of reference [1]. For each EEG dataset and subject, after a standard preprocessing, a 30-second window was extracted (immediately after the maximum awe intensity in the awe-inducing VRS). In the main EEG frequency bands, the signal complexity was explored using nonlinear methods, Wavelet Entropy (WE) and Power Spectral Entropy (PSE) [3]. Significant differences in the EEG complexity in (i) awe-inducing vs. reference VRS and (ii) VRS vs. rest were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test (p<0.05). A full factorial Generalized Linear Model analysis was performed to measure the association between EEG complexity features and subjective awe intensities associated with the different VRS. The Granger Causality Analysis was computed among the EEG channels that were mostly involved in the emotional processing. The Partial Directed Coherence allowed us to measure the intensity of directional information among couples of EEG nodes. Results: VRS vs. rest, and awe-inducing vs. reference VRS elicited a decrease of entropy in theta and alpha bands, and an increase of entropy in delta, beta, and low gamma bands. The brain regions that showed a positive correlation between the entropy EEG features and awe intensity were the left temporal, right central, and bilateral frontal ones. During the VRS navigation, the EEG information, regardless of the frequency band, was generally flowing from the central and temporo-parietal lobes’ electrodes (E15, E22 and E26) to those in the frontal lobe (E2 and E13), with a preference to the left frontal lobe’s electrode (E2). The amount of information between channels E2 and E15 resulted to be significantly correlated with awe. Discussion: In our study, the use of nonlinear entropy metrics allowed us to detect significant changes in brain functional complexity during awe experiences induced in a laboratory setting. This preliminary evidence should be reproduced on larger samples and complemented with evidence on individuals affected by depression. By enlightening the biological and psychological correlates of awe experiences, our study sets the ground for assessing their therapeutic potentialities for mental health.
2023
Inglese
Carbone, F., Bondi, E., Massalha, Y., Anastasi, A., Pescuma, V., Ferro, A., Pizzolante, M., Chirico, A., Schiena, G., Gaggioli, A., Mazzocut-Mis, M., Brambilla, P., Maggioni, E., Brain complexity EEG analysis of the sublime experience induced in virtual reality: a future antidepressant treatment?, <<NEUROSCIENCE APPLIED>>, 2023; 2 (Volume 2, Supplement 2): 118-118. [doi:10.1016/j.nsa.2023.102673] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/303462]
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