Neural substrates of the interaction between effort-expenditure reward decision-making and outcome anticipation

Reward anticipation is important for future decision-making, possibly due to re-evaluation of prior decisions. However, the exact relationship between reward anticipation and prior effort-expenditure decision-making, and its neural substrates are unknown.

Thirty-three healthy participants underwent fMRI scanning while performing the Effort-based Pleasure Experience Task (E-pet). Participants were required to make effort-expenditure decisions and anticipate the reward.

We found that stronger anticipatory activation at the posterior cingulate cortex was correlated with slower reaction time while making decisions with a high-probability of reward. Moreover, the substantia nigra was significantly activated in the prior decision-making phase, and involved in reward-anticipation in view of its strengthened functional connectivity with the mammillary body and the putamen in trial conditions with a high probability of reward.

These findings support the role of reward anticipation in re-evaluating decisions based on the brain-behaviour correlation. Moreover, the study revealed the neural interaction between reward anticipation and decision-making.