A neurofunctional signature of affective arousal generalizes across valence domains and distinguishes subjective experience from autonomic reactivity

Ran Zhang, Xianyang Gan, Ting Xu, Fangwen Yu, Lan Wang, Xinwei Song, Guojuan Jiao, Xiqin Liu, Feng Zhou () and Benjamin Becker ()
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Ran Zhang: Southwest University
Xianyang Gan: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Ting Xu: Southwest University
Fangwen Yu: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Lan Wang: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Xinwei Song: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Guojuan Jiao: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Xiqin Liu: West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Feng Zhou: Southwest University
Benjamin Becker: The University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Abstract Arousal is fundamental for affective experience and, together with valence, defines the core affective space. Precise brain models of affective arousal are lacking, leading to continuing debates of whether the neural systems generalize across valence domains and are separable from those underlying autonomic arousal or wakefulness. Here, we combine naturalistic fMRI with predictive modeling to develop a brain affective arousal signature (BAAS, discovery-validation design, n = 60, 36). We demonstrate its (1) sensitivity and generalizability across mental processes, valence, and stimulation modality and (2) neural distinction from autonomic arousal and wakefulness (24 studies, n = 868). Affective arousal is encoded in distributed cortical-subcortical (e.g., prefrontal, periaqueductal gray) systems with local similarities in thalamo-amygdala-insula systems between affective and autonomous arousal. We demonstrate application of the BAAS to improve specificity of established valence-specific neuromarkers. Our study provides a biologically plausible model for affective arousal that aligns with the affective space and has a high application potential.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61706-0

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