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Reward sensitivity modulates connectivity among reward brain areas during processing of anticipatory reward cues
Author(s) -
Costumero Victor,
BarrósLoscertales Alfonso,
Bustamante Juan C.,
VenturaCampos Noelia,
Fuentes Paola,
Ávila César
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/ejn.12234
Subject(s) - nucleus accumbens , psychology , neuroscience , reward system , orbitofrontal cortex , brain stimulation reward , midbrain , amygdala , reward dependence , anticipation (artificial intelligence) , incentive salience , ventral striatum , striatum , dopamine , prefrontal cortex , novelty seeking , personality , central nervous system , big five personality traits , social psychology , cognition , artificial intelligence , computer science
Reward sensitivity, or the tendency to engage in motivated approach behavior in the presence of rewarding stimuli, may be a contributory factor for vulnerability to disinhibitory behaviors. Although evidence exists for a reward sensitivity‐related increased response in reward brain areas (i.e. nucleus accumbens or midbrain) during the processing of reward cues, it is unknown how this trait modulates brain connectivity, specifically the crucial coupling between the nucleus accumbens, the midbrain, and other reward‐related brain areas, including the medial orbitofrontal cortex and the amygdala. Here, we analysed the relationship between effective connectivity and personality in response to anticipatory reward cues. Forty‐four males performed an adaptation of the M onetary I ncentive D elay T ask and completed the S ensitivity to R eward scale. The results showed the modulation of reward sensitivity on both activity and functional connectivity (psychophysiological interaction) during the processing of incentive cues. Sensitivity to reward scores related to stronger activation in the nucleus accumbens and midbrain during the processing of reward cues. Psychophysiological interaction analyses revealed that midbrain–medial orbitofrontal cortex connectivity was negatively correlated with sensitivity to reward scores for high as compared with low incentive cues. Also, nucleus accumbens–amygdala connectivity correlated negatively with sensitivity to reward scores during reward anticipation. Our results suggest that high reward sensitivity‐related activation in reward brain areas may result from associated modulatory effects of other brain regions within the reward circuitry.