Fig. 3

Dynamic models of implicit self-regulation on aversive emotions. a The No. 33 model was identified as the optimal dynamic causal model among 50 hypothesized models. The dotted lines between any pair of nodes denote the endogenous connections. The dotted lines in yellow or red mean that the corresponding endogenous connections receive modulatory effects during specific task conditions; the dotted lines in white stands for endogenous connections without being modulated; the solid but short lines denote the modulations imposed on endogenous connections by task conditions; the red arrow means the driver input. Bidirectional endogenous connections were identified between each pair of nodes, except the one between dACC and VLPFC. Connection strength and posterior probability are reported for each modulatory effect. b The optimal model is abstracted as a dual regulatory model that is proposed for the implicit self-regulation of aversive emotions. The bottom-up regulation involves an indirect pathway initiated from the VS to the DLPFC via the VLPFC and dACC, respectively, while the top-down regulation involves a modulation imposed by the DLPFC on the VS directly. dACC dorsal portion of anterior cingulate cortex, DLPFC dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, VLPFC ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, VS ventral striatum