Comparison of brain active regions in simulated driving with neutral versus induction of combined positive mood based on fMRI data

Abstract

The potential association between cognitive functions, mood states and their effect on driving behavior is complex and previously has been in most cases studied by subjective methods, which depend on individual differences and is therefore prone to biases. In this study, we added objective physiological data to explore the relationship between driving behavior and mood by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, 28 male right-handed drivers, aged between 20 to 30 years were randomly selected from the volunteers and included in the study. Each participant drove virtually in an fMRI compatible driving simulator, after auditory and visual positive, negative and neutral mood induction, and and fMRI was performed during driving, to explore driving-related brain activity alterations, and the impact of mood state on these effects. Pre-processing was performed to correct slice timing correction, head motion correction of people while measuring the device, spatial normalization. Statistical analysis was performed using SPM software by performing seed based connectivity analysis, after preprocessing steps. Results: In positive mood driving, the bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) showed positive correlations with regions such as the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Negative correlations were observed with the visuomotor cortex, pars orbitalis, OFC, and frontal eye fields (FEF). Negative mood driving revealed a similar network, but with more extensive regions of activation. Neutral mood driving showed similarities in connectivity patterns but with more confined regions. Comparing positive and neutral mood driving, decreased connectivity was found between mPFC and aPFC and right dorsal ACC in positive mood, while increased connectivity was observed in the OFC and parts of aPFC and dorsal ACC. Comparing negative and neutral mood driving, decreased connectivity in extensive bilateral aPFC regions was seen in negative mood, whereas increased connectivity was found in bilateral aPFC, OFC, and some left aPFC regions.