Hemodynamic measure was considered (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, fNIRS). Indeed hemodynamic resting activity and brain response to emotional cues were registered when subjects viewed emotional positive vs. negative stimuli (IAPS). LIR (lateralized Index Response) during resting state, LI (Lateralized Index) during emotional processing and SAM rating were considered.
Regression analysis showed the significant predictive effect of resting activity (more left or right lateralized) on both brain response and appraisal (SAM) of emotional cues based on stimulus valence. Moreover, significant effects were found as a function of valence (more right response to negative stimuli; more left response to positive stimuli) during emotion processing.
Therefore resting state may be considered a predictive marker of the successive cortical responsiveness to emotions.
The significance of resting condition for the emotional behavior was underlined.