Neural representations of subjective reward value

Area of Science:

• Decision Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• A core neural network, including the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), is implicated in subjective reward valuation across diverse domains.
• The ventromedial OFC (mOFC) is a key region within this valuation network.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review experimental methods for measuring subjective value in cognitive neuroscience.
• To compare functional neuroimaging findings on subjective value representations across different value types (outcome, goal, decision).

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental paradigms for subjective value measurement.
• Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies investigating value representations.
• Comparison of neural correlates for outcome, goal, and decision values.

Main Results:

• The medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) consistently represents outcome values of primary reinforcers.
• The same mOFC region also encodes complex decision values requiring integration of multiple reward dimensions.
• mOFC activity correlates with the subjective hedonic experience of processing highly valued options, whether actual or potential.

Conclusions:

• The mOFC plays a crucial, domain-general role in subjective valuation.
• Neural representations in the mOFC reflect the integration of diverse reward information and hedonic experience.
• Understanding mOFC function is key to comprehending decision-making processes.