Neural correlates of dispositional pessimism and optimism on dual-task performance

Objective: Behavioral studies found that dispositional pessimism (DP) impairs cognitive task performance (i.e. dual task) such as in dual task processing as compared to dispositional optimism (DO). However, neuroanatomical corre-lates of these performance decrements are still unknown. Therefore, the current study aims at investigating neural correlates of pessimism and optimism on dual task performance. Methods: To test for this, two hundred participants were screened to create extreme groups of DP (i.e. 10 participants) and DO (11 participants) based on Life Orien-tation Test (LOT). The participants performed auditory and visual single tasks and dual tasks while their brain activity by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was recorded. Results: Behavioral results showed that the groups have similar performance on single task performance whereas DP group slowed down on dual task performance as compared to DO group. Imaging results showed that DP group showed less dual task specific activations in inferior parietal and occipital cortices particularly in posterior cingulate gyrus, extending into precuneus and cuneus. Discussion: It has been concluded that DP impairs cognitive processing on dual task performance and this impairment accompanied by reduced activation in parietal and occipital cortices as compared to DO. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2018; 19(6.000): 545-550]