Conclusions
CORTEX
The present research examined the neural effects of an 11-day lithium administration on ER in healthy participants. Lithium-derived differences in brain activation and connectivity during reappraisal (vs. maintain) were (1) decreased activation in the left AG, left anterior prefrontal cortex and right superior frontal gyrus, and connectivity between the vlFPC and caudate and other prefrontal areas; (2) increased activation in the right superior temporal gyrus (SVC); and correlated activation between the right MTG and the left middle frontal gyrus. During negative picture blocks, lithium-derived differences in brain activity were (1) increased amygdala-prefrontal anticorrelation, and (2) enhanced MTG-prefrontal connectivity. These results provide preliminary support for the involvement of lithium in emotional processing and regulation in healthy participants, and potentially benefit future work in the development of more effective treatments for BD.Of general implications for ER and, specifically for cognitive reappraisal, the present research replicated previous findings. Consistently, enhanced activation in prefrontal including cognitive control regions, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions was found. Contrary to leading evidence, but in line with a small number of studies, no decreased in amygdala’s activity was found, with the right amygdala observing an increase during reappraisal, compared to maintain. Lastly, the present research shows support for Buhle et al.’ (Taken together, these results show an effect of lithium in emotional processing and regulation, and further elaborate the neural underpinnings of cognitive reappraisal. Although limitations should be considering when interpreting these results, a call for future research to investigate longer term effects of lithium on ER in individuals with BD is made, which ultimately may benefit the development of novel and more effective treatments for BD.