Differential functional connectivity underlying asymmetric reward-related activity in human and nonhuman primates

Alizée Lopez-Persem,Léa Roumazeilles,Davide Folloni,Kévin Marche,Elsa F Fouragnan,Nima Khalighinejad,Matthew F S Rushworth,Jérôme Sallet

doi:10.1073/pnas.2000759117

Alizée Lopez-Persem, Léa Roumazeilles + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2000759117

Copy DOI

Abstract

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a key brain region involved in complex cognitive functions such as reward processing and decision making. Neuroimaging studies have reported unilateral OFC response to reward-related variables; however, those studies rarely discussed this observation. Nevertheless, some lesion studies suggest that the left and right OFC contribute differently to cognitive processes. We hypothesized that the OFC asymmetrical response to reward could reflect underlying hemispherical difference in OFC functional connectivity. Using resting-state and reward-related functional MRI data from humans and from rhesus macaques, we first identified an asymmetrical response of the lateral OFC to reward in both species. Crucially, the subregion showing the highest reward-related asymmetry (RRA) overlapped with the region showing the highest functional connectivity asymmetry (FCA). Furthermore, the two types of asymmetries were found to be significantly correlated across individuals. In both species, the right lateral OFC was more connected to the default mode network compared to the left lateral OFC. Altogether, our results suggest a functional specialization of the left and right lateral OFC in primates.

Highlights

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a key brain region involved in complex cognitive functions such as reward processing and decision making
Using data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) and data collected in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), we assessed the characteristics of the asymmetrical OFC response during reward tasks
In the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, we focused on the contrast reward versus punishment to localize the reward-related activity in the whole brain (Fig. 1A)

Summary

Introduction

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a key brain region involved in complex cognitive functions such as reward processing and decision making. The two types of asymmetries were found to be significantly correlated across individuals In both species, the right lateral OFC was more connected to the default mode network compared to the left lateral OFC. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a key brain region involved in complex behavior such as value-based decision making [1], cognitive flexibility [2], and reward-guided learning [3]. This brain region is heterogeneous and can be subdivided on the basis of cytoarchitecture, connectivity, or function [4,5,6,7,8]. Lateralization of functions has been reported in nonhuman primates in the context of audition and vocalization

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion