Hedonic and informational functions of the human orbitofrontal cortex
R Elliott1, Z Agnew, J F W Deakin
1Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK. rebecca.elliott@man.ac.uk
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|May 14, 2009
Summary
Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) plays a role in decision-making. This study used fMRI to show OFC distinguishes between reward/punishment and behavioral cues, linking punishment to behavioral change.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Decision Science
Background:
- Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is implicated in reward processing and decision-making.
- Hedonic responses to reinforcers are often conflated with their role as behavioral cues.
- Disambiguating these functions is crucial for understanding decision-making processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate the roles of OFC in processing hedonic value versus behavioral consequences of rewards and punishments.
- To investigate how OFC activity relates to cues for maintaining or changing behavior.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed during a 2-choice decision-making task.
- Subjects received rewards or punishments and independent cues to maintain or change behavior.
- Analysis focused on identifying specific OFC regions associated with these distinct processes.
Main Results:
- Anterior medial OFC responded to reward, while bilateral lateral OFC responded to punishment.
- Right lateral OFC correlated with punishment and cues for behavioral change (shift).
- A ventral, anterior bilateral region responded to behavioral maintenance cues (stay), particularly when paired with punishment.
Conclusions:
- OFC activity differentiates between the emotional impact of reinforcers and their function in guiding behavior.
- A shared right lateral OFC region for punishment and shift cues suggests a link between negative reinforcement and behavioral adaptation.
- These findings clarify the dual role of OFC in processing both the affective and instructive aspects of outcomes.
More Related Videos
13:18Conducting Concurrent Electroencephalography and Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Recordings with a Flanker Task
Published on: May 24, 2020
09:14Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 14, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
01:05Cerebral Hemispheres
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
01:23Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
01:25Olfaction
The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...