Shyness and enhanced network function of the insula cortex

Abstract

Shyness is a trait characterized by anxiety and reticence in social situations associated with social anxiety disorders and internet addiction. Therefore, increased knowledge about shyness could facilitate understanding and prevent these conditions. However, only a few studies have reported brain functions associated with shyness. We examined the relationship between shyness and a functional network estimated from resting-state fMRI data. Graph theory analysis was used to calculate network indices, including global and local efficiency and betweenness centrality of brain regions. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with age and gender as covariates. Results indicated that shyness was correlated with the middle right insula’s global efficiency, which reflects information integration between the seed and other regions, indicating an increased network function in the right middle insula of shy people. This result suggests that shyness is associated with enhanced integration of interoceptive information.