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. 2015 Nov 20:5:16891.
doi: 10.1038/srep16891.

The structural neural substrate of subjective happiness

Wataru Sato  1 , Takanori Kochiyama  2 , Shota Uono  1 , Yasutaka Kubota  3 , Reiko Sawada  1 , Sayaka Yoshimura  1 , Motomi Toichi  4   5
Affiliations

The structural neural substrate of subjective happiness

Wataru Sato et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Happiness is a subjective experience that is an ultimate goal for humans. Psychological studies have shown that subjective happiness can be measured reliably and consists of emotional and cognitive components. However, the neural substrates of subjective happiness remain unclear. To investigate this issue, we used structural magnetic resonance imaging and questionnaires that assessed subjective happiness, the intensity of positive and negative emotional experiences, and purpose in life. We found a positive relationship between the subjective happiness score and gray matter volume in the right precuneus. Moreover, the same region showed an association with the combined positive and negative emotional intensity and purpose in life scores. Our findings suggest that the precuneus mediates subjective happiness by integrating the emotional and cognitive components of happiness.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Brain region significantly associated with the subjective happiness score.
(Left) A statistical parametric map (p < 0.001, peak-level uncorrected for display purposes). The area is overlaid on the spatially normalized gray matter tissue probability map. The blue cross indicates the location of the peak voxel. The red-white color scale indicates the T-value. (Right) A scatter plot of the adjusted gray matter volume as a function of the subjective happiness score at the peak voxel.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Brain region significantly associated with the combined positive and negative emotional intensity and purpose in life scores.
(Left) A statistical parametric map (p < 0.001, peak-level uncorrected for display purposes). The area is rendered on the spatially normalized gray matter tissue probability map. The blue cross indicates the location of the peak voxel. The red-white color scale indicates the F-value. (Center) Parameter estimates (with standard errors) for the regressors relating to positive and negative emotion intensity and purpose in life (PIL) scores at the peak voxel. Positive and negative values indicate positive and negative associations with gray matter volume, respectively, in arbitrary units. (Right) A scatter plot of adjusted gray matter volume as a function of the combined scores at the peak voxel. The combination scores were calculated by weighted-summing three (mean centered) regressors of interest, each multiplied by the associated parameter estimates at the peak coordinates in the right precuneus.
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