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Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
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Regulating Craving by Anticipating Positive and Negative Outcomes: A Multivariate Pattern Analysis and Network
Johann D Kruschwitz1,2, Vera U Ludwig1,3,4, Lea Waller1,2
1Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|December 20, 2018
Summary
Self-control may involve "hot," affective processes, not just "cold" cognition. Evoking positive future outcomes during craving regulation activates emotional brain regions like the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Decision Science
Background:
- Self-control is often viewed as a cognitive process mediated by the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
- This perspective emphasizes
- cold,
- unemotional cognitive control mechanisms that inhibit affect-related brain regions.
- However, the role of emotional processes in self-control remains an active area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural underpinnings of regulating cravings by mentally evoking future consequences.
- To compare the neural activity associated with evoking positive outcomes of resisting temptation versus negative outcomes of succumbing to temptation.
- To explore the involvement of emotional processing regions in self-control strategies.
Main Methods:
- fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was used to scan 31 participants.
- Participants viewed images of unhealthy snacks and regulated cravings by thinking of positive or negative future consequences.
- A control condition involved anticipating the pleasure of eating (now-condition).
Main Results:
- A cognitive control network was activated during self-regulation, consistent with prior research.
- The insula showed greater activation in the negative future thinking condition compared to the positive condition.
- Multivariate pattern analysis revealed information about anticipated emotional valence in the vmPFC, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and insula during craving regulation.
- A network including the vmPFC and PCC demonstrated increased connectivity during positive future thinking.
Conclusions:
- Self-control, particularly when regulating cravings, may involve
- hot,
- affective processes in addition to cognitive control.
- Brain regions typically associated with emotional processing, such as the vmPFC and PCC, play a role in self-control strategies.
- These findings challenge the exclusive
- cold
- cognition view of self-control and highlight the interplay between emotion and executive function.
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