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Updated: May 13, 2025

A Fully Automated and Highly Versatile System for Testing Multi-cognitive Functions and Recording Neuronal Activities in Rodents
Published on: May 3, 2012
Subcortical nuclei of the human ascending arousal system encode anticipated reward but do not predict subsequent
Beth Lloyd1, Steven Miletić1,2, Pierre-Louis Bazin3
1Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Subcortical nuclei of the ascending arousal system (AAS) play an important role in regulating brain and cognition. However, functional MRI (fMRI) of these nuclei in humans involves unique challenges due to their size and location deep within the brain. Here, we used ultra-high-field MRI and other methodological advances to investigate the activity of 6 subcortical nuclei during reward anticipation and memory encoding: the locus coeruleus (LC), basal forebrain, median and dorsal raphe nuclei, substantia nigra, and ventral tegmental area. Participants performed a monetary incentive delay task, which successfully induced a state of reward anticipation, and a 24-h delayed surprise memory test. Region-of-interest analyses revealed that activity in all subcortical nuclei increased in anticipation of potential rewards as opposed to neutral outcomes. In contrast, activity in none of the nuclei predicted memory performance 24 h later. These findings provide new insights into the cognitive functions that are supported by the human AAS.
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