Neural Connectivity Underlying Reward and Emotion-Related Processing: Evidence From a Large-Scale Network Analysis

Abstract

Neuroimaging techniques have advanced our knowledge about neurobiological mechanisms of reward and emotion processing. It remains unclear whether reward and emotion-related processing share the same neural connection topology and how intrinsic brain functional connectivity organization changes to support emotion- and reward-related prioritized effects in decision-making. The present study addressed these challenges using a large-scale neural network analysis approach. We applied this approach to two independent functional magnetic resonance imaging datasets, where participants performed a reward value or emotion associative matching task with tight control over experimental conditions. The results revealed that interaction between the Default Mode Network, Frontoparietal, Dorsal Attention, and Salience networks engaged distinct topological structures to support the effects of reward, positive and negative emotion processing. Detailed insights into the properties of these connections are important for understanding in detail how the brain responds in the presence of emotion and reward related stimuli. We discuss the linking of reward- and emotion-related processing to emotional regulation, an important aspect of regulation of human behavior in relation to mental health.

Functional connectivity of the nucleus accumbens predicts clinical course in treated and non-responder adult ADHD

“…Altered DMN activity could interfere with an individual’s ability to sustain attention. Interactions between the DMN and other brain networks, such as the SN, involve distinct topological structures that support reward processing and emotion regulation (Yankouskaya et al, 2022).…”

Self-Prioritization Reconsidered: Scrutinizing Three Claims

“…Another interesting avenue of investigation concerns how self-prioritization compares with the biasing effects that have been observed for other classes of stimuli, such as rewarding, arousing, or emotionally significant material ( Carlson & Mujica-Parodi, 2015 ; Öhman, 2007 ; West et al, 2009 ). For example, is self-bias simply a reflection of the reward value or affective salience of arbitrary stimuli that have temporarily acquired personal significance ( Blaney, 1986 ; Northoff & Hayes, 2011 ; Sui et al, 2016 ; Yankouskaya et al, 2022 )? According to an influential account, processing self-related and reward-related material is inexorably intertwined, thereby suggesting considerable overlap in the neuroanatomical structures that support stimulus prioritization ( de Greck et al, 2008 ; Yankouskaya et al, 2022 ).…”

“…For example, is self-bias simply a reflection of the reward value or affective salience of arbitrary stimuli that have temporarily acquired personal significance ( Blaney, 1986 ; Northoff & Hayes, 2011 ; Sui et al, 2016 ; Yankouskaya et al, 2022 )? According to an influential account, processing self-related and reward-related material is inexorably intertwined, thereby suggesting considerable overlap in the neuroanatomical structures that support stimulus prioritization ( de Greck et al, 2008 ; Yankouskaya et al, 2022 ). Of interest, therefore, would be imaging investigations that explore the extent to which prioritization emerges for whichever stimuli elicit enhanced responses (e.g., expected self-related or friend-related stimuli) and how this relates to reward-related processing in the brain ( Clithero & Rangel, 2014 ; Yankouskaya et al, 2017 ).…”