Correlations Between Self-Related Social Feedback Processing and Neurotransmitter Receptor Distributions in Healthy Individuals

Bruin, Leanne (2025) Correlations Between Self-Related Social Feedback Processing and Neurotransmitter Receptor Distributions in Healthy Individuals. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

This master’s thesis investigates potential neurophysiological correlates underlying social feedback processing, by exploring the relationship between brain activation during self-related social feedback processing and serotonin and dopamine receptor distributions. The project’s aim was to increase understanding of these associations and potentially contribute to the search for treatment targets in social functioning impairments. The study used self > other contrast maps from a previous study, which measured brain activation using fMRI during a social feedback task in 58 healthy participants. Using the JuSpace toolbox, the individual brain activation maps were correlated with group-level PET-maps of serotonin and dopamine receptors and transporter distributions. Based on the roles of serotonin and dopamine systems in self-reflection and social reward. However, the inverse relationships observed for 5-HT1a, SERT, D1, D2 and DAT, suggest increased brain activation during self-related social feedback processing in regions with lower densities of these neurotransmitter receptors or transporters. The negative correlation coefficients could be explained by either the absence of high brain activation in areas related to self-reflective processes or social reward, or the absence of high neurotransmitter densities in these particular areas. Null findings for 5-HT1b and 5-HT2a receptors could be explained by the complexity of both social feedback processing and the 5-HT system. In conclusion, despite its exploratory nature and unexpected findings, this study extends the application of the JuSpace toolbox and provides an initial framework for future research on the potential role of neurotransmitter correlates in self-related social feedback processing.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Larabi, D.I.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	15 Aug 2025 13:45
Last Modified:	15 Aug 2025 13:45
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5851

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