Replication of Goerlich-Dobre et al., 2015

In this study we aim to replicate one of the key findings from the paper by Goerlich-Dobre et al. (2015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.08.014). This replication is part of the overarching project “Replication of Findings in Neuroimaging – MDD” (ReFiNe-MDD, https://osf.io/n86q9/) using data from various cohorts. The project aims to a) estimate the percentage of replicable findings in the area of brain structural gray matter correlates related to variables relevant for depression, b) identify study characteristics associated with replicability of neuroimaging findings, and c) deduct methodological guidelines to foster replicability of findings in this area of research. Therefore, a minimum of 60 single replications will be conducted. Goerlich-Dobre et al. (2015) examined the neural bases and morphological profiles of alexithymia and empathy in healthy individuals. In this single replication, we will focus on the association of gray matter volume (GMV) and alexithymia. The dimensional psychological construct alexithymia (‘no words for feelings’ or ‚feeling blindness‘) is conceptualized as a personality trait comprising an individual deficit identifying feelings, distinguishing them from physiological sensations of arousal, and describing them to others (Sifneos, 1973; Taylor et al., 1985; Vorst & Bermond, 2001). Alexithymic individuals often show an externally oriented and concrete cognitive style as well as a lack of introspection (Bagby, Taylor, et al., 1994; Sifneos, 1973)