Emotion, motivation, decision-making, the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and the amygdala.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychology

Background:

• The orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala are known to be involved in emotion and motivation.
• The precise relationship between these functions and brain structures remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a unified theory of emotion and motivation.
• To clarify the roles of the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala in these processes.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical synthesis of existing evidence.
• Analysis of human brain connectivity data related to emotion and motivation.

Main Results:

• A unified theory posits motivational states as goal-directed actions for rewards/avoidance, and emotional states as responses to reward outcomes.
• The orbitofrontal cortex is crucial for reward value, experienced emotion, and is implicated in depression.
• The amygdala primarily mediates brainstem responses, with limited cortical connectivity in humans.

Conclusions:

• This unified framework simplifies understanding of emotion and motivation.
• The orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in reward processing, emotion, and motivational changes in depression.
• Anterior cingulate cortex involvement in reward learning and navigation goals is highlighted.