Cognitive reappraisal modulates expected value and prediction error encoding in the ventral striatum

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Loss of prefrontal inhibitory control is linked to impulsivity in addiction.
• Understanding how cognitive control strategies affect neural reward processing is crucial for improving addiction therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural effects of cognitive reappraisal (distancing from feelings) on reward processing.
• To determine if cognitive control can modulate neural responses during reward anticipation and outcome.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in 16 healthy subjects.
• A monetary incentive delay task manipulated expected reward value and outcome valence.
• Event-related fMRI analyzed neural activity during different phases of reward processing.

Main Results:

• Reappraisal attenuated expected value signals in the ventral striatum (VST) during the expectation period.
• Distancing modulated prediction error (PE) coding in the VST during the outcome period.
• A right-hemispheric fronto-parietal network was recruited during reappraisal of reward feelings.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive control strategies like reappraisal impact both reward expectation and outcome signals.
• Activation in prefrontal regulatory regions correlated with successful reappraisal.
• Enhanced recruitment of prefrontal networks may improve deliberate control over reward processing and hedonic experience.