Virtually “In the Heat of the Moment”: Insula Activation Distinguishes Men Who in Real Life Were Sexually Risky Versus Safe

• In Event: Your Brain on Health Communication: Applications of Communication Science in Health and Education (HIGH DENSITY)

Abstract

HIV is most prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM), and although most MSM use condoms consistently during casual sex, some take risks. To better understand the psychology of those risky decisions, we examined neural correlates of playing a virtual sexual “hook up” game in an fMRI scanner in MSM who had, in the past 90 days, previously been sexually risky (N=76) or safe (N=31). We found that during potentially risky sexual choices, previously risky MSM had more insula activity – typically associated with desire and urge – than previously safe MSM. Trait measures provided greater clarity. Real-life sexual risk was related with trait negative urgency; this relationship was mediated by neural activity in an insular-centered network. Trait negative urgency could drive sexual risk by increasing the likelihood of taking a risk during safe sex negotiation.

Authors

• Benjamin James Smith, U of Southern California

• Feng Xue, U of Southern California

• Vitalya Droutman, U of Southern California

• Emily Barkley-Levenson, Hofstra U

• A Melrose, U of Southern California

• Antoine Bechara, U of Southern California

• Lynn Carol Miller, U of Southern California

• Paul Appleby, U of Southern California

• Stephen Read, U of Southern California