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The tipping point: Value differences and parallel dorsal-ventral frontal circuits gating human approach-avoidance

Michael W Schlund¹, Adam T Brewer², Sandy K Magee¹

¹Department of Behavior Analysis, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Box 310919, Denton, TX 76203-0919, USA.

|May 8, 2016

Summary

This study reveals how brain circuits in the dorsal anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex (dACC/dmPFC) regulate approach-avoidance behaviors in humans. These findings offer insights into decision-making in anxiety and stress-related disorders.

Keywords:

Anterior cingulate Anxiety Approach–avoidance Conflict Decision making Threat

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Anxiety, trauma, and stress-related disorders involve excessive avoidance and diminished approach behaviors.
Neuronal mechanisms underlying human approach-avoidance behavior gating remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neural mechanisms of human approach-avoidance behavior using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
To examine the role of the dorsal anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex (dACC/dmPFC) in response to competing appetitive and aversive stimuli.

Main Methods:

A novel approach-avoidance task was developed, combining monetary rewards with conditioned stimuli (CS) signaling threat (unconditioned stimulus probability).
fMRI was used to track brain activation, alongside behavioral measures like decision times and electrodermal activity, as participants navigated approach-avoidance scenarios.

Main Results:

Increasing CS threat levels induced approach-avoidance transitions, showing inverted U-shaped changes in decision times and brain activation in regions including dACC/dmPFC, striatum, and insula.
Distinct patterns of activation were observed across frontal circuits, with dACC/dmPFC inversely correlating with value differences between approach and avoidance, and ventral frontal regions correlating with predictable outcome values.

Conclusions:

Parallel dorsal-ventral frontal circuits are crucial for gating human approach-avoidance behavior.
Findings link basic research on value-guided decision-making to clinical theories of anxiety and inform potential interventions.