Reward Perception Research Articles

Dopamine and deep brain stimulation accelerate the neural dynamics of volitional action in Parkinson's disease.

The ability to initiate volitional action is fundamental to human behaviour. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease is associated with impaired action initiation, also termed akinesia. Both dopamine and subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) can alleviate akinesia, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. An important question is whether dopamine and DBS facilitate de novo build-up of neural dynamics for motor execution or accelerate existing cortical movement initiation signals through shared modulatory circuit effects. Answering these questions can provide the foundation for new closed-loop neurotherapies with adaptive DBS, but the objectification of neural processing delays prior to performance of volitional action remains a significant challenge. To overcome this challenge, we studied readiness potentials and trained brain signal decoders on invasive neurophysiology signals in 25 DBS patients (12 female) with Parkinson's disease during performance of self-initiated movements. Combined sensorimotor cortex electrocorticography and subthalamic local field potential recordings were performed OFF therapy (n = 22), ON dopaminergic medication (n = 18) and on subthalamic deep brain stimulation (n = 8). This allowed us to compare their therapeutic effects on neural latencies between the earliest cortical representation of movement intention as decoded by linear discriminant analysis classifiers and onset of muscle activation recorded with electromyography. In the hypodopaminergic OFF state, we observed long latencies between motor intention and motor execution for readiness potentials and machine learning classifications. Both, dopamine and DBS significantly shortened these latencies, hinting towards a shared therapeutic mechanism for alleviation of akinesia. To investigate this further, we analysed directional cortico-subthalamic oscillatory communication with multivariate granger causality. Strikingly, we found that both therapies independently shifted cortico-subthalamic oscillatory information flow from antikinetic beta (13-35 Hz) to prokinetic theta (4-10 Hz) rhythms, which was correlated with latencies in motor execution. Our study reveals a shared brain network modulation pattern of dopamine and DBS that may underlie the acceleration of neural dynamics for augmentation of movement initiation in Parkinson's disease. Instead of producing or increasing preparatory brain signals, both therapies modulate oscillatory communication. These insights provide a link between the pathophysiology of akinesia and its' therapeutic alleviation with oscillatory network changes in other non-motor and motor domains, e.g. related to hyperkinesia or effort and reward perception. In the future, our study may inspire the development of clinical brain computer interfaces based on brain signal decoders to provide temporally precise support for action initiation in patients with brain disorders.

Development of Neurospecific Assessment Scale for Nomophobics – An Observational Study

Abstract Background: Nomophobia is a condition where people feel anxious or tense when they need to disconnect from their phone or other Internet-connected devices. Because of this elevated level of dependence on modern gadgets to offload the cognitive demands of life, anxiety develops when they are expected to be detached from it. The role of neurospecific domains such as cognitive flexibility, memory, attention, information processing, inhibitory control, and reward perception has previously been studied in nomophobics. However, there is no tool developed yet that quantifies the affection of these neurospecific domains in nomophobics. Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a scale for the assessment of “Neurospecific Domains” (in terms of memory, attention, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, information processing, and reward perception) among nomophobics. Methods: The neurospecific assessment scale for nomophobics (NSASN) was developed using a multistep method which included conceptualization and item generation followed by one round of expert validation of the item and of the scale. The content validity index was used to validate the various domains in the scale. Results: The computed content validity final score for Round 1 of the scale was found to be 0.79. Conclusion: The NSASN was developed to assess neurospecific domains among nomophobics and achieved a statistically satisfactory content validity.

Role of Glial Cells in Neuronal Function, Mood Disorders, and Drug Addiction.

Mood disorders and substance use disorder (SUD) are of immense medical and social concern. Although significant progress on neuronal involvement in mood and reward circuitries has been achieved, it is only relatively recently that the role of glia in these disorders has attracted attention. Detailed understanding of the glial functions in these devastating diseases could offer novel interventions. Here, following a brief review of circuitries involved in mood regulation and reward perception, the specific contributions of neurotrophic factors, neuroinflammation, and gut microbiota to these diseases are highlighted. In this context, the role of specific glial cells (e.g., microglia, astroglia, oligodendrocytes, and synantocytes) on phenotypic manifestation of mood disorders or SUD are emphasized. In addition, use of this knowledge in the potential development of novel therapeutics is touched upon.

Misperceiving Momentum: Computational Mechanisms of Biased Striatal Reward Prediction Errors in Bipolar Disorder

BackgroundDysregulated reward processing and mood instability are core features of bipolar disorder that have largely been considered separately, with contradictory findings. We sought to test a mechanistic account that emphasizes an excessive tendency in bipolar disorder to enter recursive cycles in which reward perception is biased by signals that the environment may be changing for the better or worse. MethodsParticipants completed a probabilistic reward task with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Using an influential computational model, we ascertained whether participants with bipolar disorder (n = 21) showed greater striatal tracking of momentum-biased reward prediction errors (RPEs) than matched control participants (n = 21). We conducted psychophysiological interaction analyses to quantify the degree to which each group modulated functional connectivity between the ventral striatum and left anterior insula in response to fluctuations in momentum. ResultsIn participants with bipolar disorder, but not control participants, the momentum-biased RPE model accounted for significant additional variance in striatal activity beyond a standard model of veridical RPEs. Compared with control participants, participants with bipolar disorder exhibited lower insular-striatal functional connectivity modulated by momentum-biased RPEs, an effect that was more pronounced as a function of current manic symptoms. ConclusionsConsistent with existing theory, we found evidence that bipolar disorder is associated with a tendency for momentum to excessively bias striatal tracking of RPEs. We identified impaired insular-striatal connectivity as a possible locus for this propensity. We argue that computational psychiatric approaches that examine momentary shifts in reward and mood dynamics have strong potential for yielding new mechanistic insights and intervention targets.

Adventist Young People's Perceptions of Missionaries in The Adventist Church Environment Seventh Day Based on Mark 10:29-30

This study explores the perceptions of young people in the Seventh-day Adventist Church regarding the missionary task and contribution. The main focus of this research is the Adventist young people's views on mission endeavors in relation to the teachings from Mark 10:29-30. To conduct this research, the methods used include qualitative methods, and analysis of scriptural texts. The results of this study show the different ways Adventist young people see the importance of missions, the difficulties missionaries face, and how the teachings from Mark 10:29-30 influence their perception of sacrifice and reward in the context of ecclesiastical missions. The findings may help to increase young people's understanding and participation in ecclesial mission activities.

The SoxE factor Sox9 is selectively expressed in indirect pathway striatal projection neurons and regulates synaptogenesis

Striatum, as the largest structure of the basal ganglia, serves as a center for information transmission and is critical for motor function and reward perception. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying its development require further exploration. Here, we found that Sox9, traditionally recognized as a glial marker, is uniquely expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs), especially in Drd2-expressing indirect pathway MSNs (D2-MSNs). Intriguingly, Sox9 expression in the striatum, which is conserved in humans, is a dynamic process. It maintains a high level during the perinatal stage, and exhibits low expression levels or vanishes at the embryonic and postnatal stages, respectively. The peak period of Sox9 expression coincides with the transition from neurogenesis to synaptogenesis. Importantly, gene regulatory network analysis and gain-of-function experiments confirmed Sox9 is strongly correlated with synaptogenesis. Moreover, we identified that Sox9 regulates synaptogenesis by repressing Foxp2, a well-known synapse regulator. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biased expression pattern of Sox9 in D2-MSNs is, at least in part, regulated by another SoxE family member Sox8, which is specifically expressed in Drd1-expressing direct pathway MSNs (D1-MSNs). Taken together, our findings reveal a new marker of D2-MSNs and identify its distinctive function in striatal development.

White adipose tissue distribution and amount are associated with increased white matter connectivity.

Obesity represents a significant public health concern and is linked to various comorbidities and cognitive impairments. Previous research indicates that elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with structural changes in white matter (WM). However, a deeper characterization of body composition is required, especially considering the links between abdominal obesity and metabolic dysfunction. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between obesity and WM connectivity by directly assessing the amount and distribution of fat tissue. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to evaluate total adipose tissue (TAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), while MR liver spectroscopy measured liver fat content in 63 normal-weight, overweight, and obese males. WM connectivity was quantified using microstructure-informed tractography. Connectome-based predictive modeling was used to predict body composition metrics based on WM connectomes. Our analysis revealed a positive dependency between BMI, TAT, SAT, and WM connectivity in brain regions involved in reward processing and appetite regulation, such as the insula, nucleus accumbens, and orbitofrontal cortex. Increased connectivity was also observed in cognitive control and inhibition networks, including the middle frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex. No significant associations were found between WM connectivity and VAT or liver fat. Our findings suggest that altered neural communication between these brain regions may affect cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and reward perception in individuals with obesity, potentially contributing to weight gain. While our study did not identify a link between WM connectivity and VAT or liver fat, further investigation of the role of various fat depots and metabolic factors in brain networks is required to advance obesity prevention and treatment approaches.

A new perspective on obesity: perception of fat taste and its relationship with obesity.

Obesity, which results from a long-term positive energy balance, is affected by many factors, especially nutrition. The sensory properties of foods are associated with increased food intake through hedonic appetite. Taste perception, a component of flavor, is also responsible for increased consumption, through reward and hedonic mechanisms. Foods with high fat and energy content are among the foods that create the reward perception. The perception of fat taste, the primary taste that has recently entered the literature, may also be associated with increased food consumption and body weight. Therefore, in this review, the relationship between fat taste and obesity is examined, using the latest literature. Different hypotheses have been proposed regarding the mechanism of the relationship between fat-taste perception and obesity, such as hedonic appetite, microbiota, decreased taste perception, and increased taste threshold level. In addition, some studies examining this relationship reported significant associations between the level of fat-taste perception and obesity, whereas others did not find a significant difference. Considering the prevalence and contribution to obesity of Western-style nutrition, characterized by high amounts of fat and sugar consumption, elucidating this relationship may be an essential solution for preventing and treating obesity.

Integrating inverse reinforcement learning into data-driven mechanistic computational models: a novel paradigm to decode cancer cell heterogeneity

Cellular heterogeneity is a ubiquitous aspect of biology and a major obstacle to successful cancer treatment. Several techniques have emerged to quantify heterogeneity in live cells along axes including cellular migration, morphology, growth, and signaling. Crucially, these studies reveal that cellular heterogeneity is not a result of randomness or a failure in cellular control systems, but instead is a predictable aspect of multicellular systems. We hypothesize that individual cells in complex tissues can behave as reward-maximizing agents and that differences in reward perception can explain heterogeneity. In this perspective, we introduce inverse reinforcement learning as a novel approach for analyzing cellular heterogeneity. We briefly detail experimental approaches for measuring cellular heterogeneity over time and how these experiments can generate datasets consisting of cellular states and actions. Next, we show how inverse reinforcement learning can be applied to these datasets to infer how individual cells choose different actions based on heterogeneous states. Finally, we introduce potential applications of inverse reinforcement learning to three cell biology problems. Overall, we expect inverse reinforcement learning to reveal why cells behave heterogeneously and enable identification of novel treatments based on this new understanding.

Associations of rumination, behavioral activation, and perceived reward with mothers' postpartum depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased social isolation for mothers, and rumination exacerbates postpartum depression in mothers with poor social support. Although behavioral activation can help to decrease their depressive symptoms, the mechanism by which behavioral activation reduces postpartum depression remains unclear. We examined the effects of rumination and behavioral activation on depression in postpartum women by examining a model mediated by subjective reward perception. A questionnaire was administered to 475 postpartum women (Age: Mean = 30.74 years, SD = 5.02) within 1 year of childbirth using an Internet survey. The measurements included perinatal depression, rumination, and behavioral activation, and we assessed environmental reward. To control for confounding variables, we assessed psychiatric history, social support, parenting perfectionism, and COVID-19 avoidance. Eighty-four (17.68%) mothers had possible postpartum depression. The covariance structure analysis showed that not only was there a direct positive path from rumination to postnatal depression but also a negative path via reward perception. This finding indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic could have increased depression in many of the mothers. Rumination not only directly relates to postpartum depression, but it could also indirectly relate to postpartum depression by decreasing exposure to positive reinforcers. In addition, having a history of psychiatric illness increases the effect of rumination on postpartum depression. These findings suggest that psychological interventions are needed to reduce rumination and increase contact with positive reinforcements to reduce postpartum depression, especially for high-risk groups.

Social support and overeating in young women: The role of altering functional network connectivity patterns and negative emotions

Research suggests that social support has a protective effect on emotional health and emotionally induced overeating. Women are especially more sensitive to benefits from social support when facing eating problems. Although it has been demonstrated that social support can affect the neural processes of emotion regulation and reward perception, it is unclear how social support alters synergistic patterns in large-scale brain networks associated with negative emotions and overeating. We used a large sample of young women aged 17–22 years (N = 360) to examine how social support influences the synchrony of five intrinsic networks (executive control network [ECN], default mode network, salience network [SN], basal ganglia network, and precuneus network [PN]) and how these networks influence negative affect and overeating. Additionally, we explored these analyses in another sample of males (N = 136). After statistically controlling for differences in age and head movement, we observed significant associations of higher levels of social support with increased intra- and inter-network functional synchrony, particularly for ECN-centered network connectivity. Subsequent chain-mediated analyses showed that social support predicted overeating through the ECN−SN and ECN−PN network connectivity and negative emotions. However, these results were not found in men. These findings suggest that social support influences the synergistic patterns within and between intrinsic networks related to inhibitory control, emotion salience, self-referential thinking, and reward sensitivity. Furthermore, they reveal that social support and its neural markers may play a key role in young women's emotional health and eating behavior.

Be Careful When Using Peer-Influence on Nudging Solicitation: Evidence of Potential Negative Effect from a Sample of Chinese University Students.

Peer information is now commonly used in solicitation. However, scholars have long focused on testing its effectiveness on increasing the donation amount without paying attention to its potential negative effects on donors. Thus, the current study employs high vs low peer donation amount (HPDA vs LPDA) information to explore its effect on "how-much-to-donate" decisions and the corresponding neural and psychological reactions at the same time. Student samples from a Chinese university and behavioral experiments with the event-related potential (ERP) method were used in this study. The behavioral results are consistent with previous research in which HPDA was positively associated with higher donation levels. ERP results show the mechanisms behind decision-making can be summarized into a cognitive approach represented by cost-benefit analysis and an affective approach represented by reward perception. More surprisingly, in contrast to the behavioral results, LPDA elicits higher level of reward perception than HPDA. The results indicate that although HPDA leads to higher levels of donation, donors do not show higher levels of reward anticipation at the neurological level, indicating the increment of donation may come at the cost of donors. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

Fostering employee innovation: Linking person–organization fit to innovative behavior through knowledge sharing and reward perception

AbstractThe core foundation of data‐driven public administration is establishing a digital platform that enables collaboration between various subjects and stakeholders; for this, active interaction among employees of an organization and their innovations in deriving creative ideas and actions are essential. Reflecting this, this study focused on promoting employees' innovative behavior (IB) through the activation of knowledge sharing (KS) within the organization, considering other key variables, person–organization fit (POF) and reward perception (RP). We integrated the mediation model of POF, KS, and IB and the moderation model of POF, RP, and KS to confirm whether the effect of POF on KS moderated by RP affects IB. Analysis of data on 1420 public employees of 33 local government agencies in South Korea shows that all the research models work. These results confirm the positive and direct relationship between POF and IB, and prove the mediating effect of KS in the POF–IB relationship and the moderating effect of RP in the POF–KS relationship, respectively. Furthermore, it confirms that the level of employees' perceived congruence between the employees themselves and the organization has a stronger effect on IB when employees clearly recognize rewards for their KS activities. Based on these findings, we present critical suggestions to improve employees' KS and IB.

Heads of Worry, Hearts of Joy: Daily Diary Investigations of Self-Location and Well-Being.

When people are asked to locate the self, they frequently choose the head and heart regions of the body. These bodily regions, in turn, are linked to an extensive set of metaphors, including those that conceptualize the heart as the locus of authenticity, love, and passion. Based on such considerations as well as frameworks within the self and well-being literatures, four samples of participants in three studies (total N = 527) were asked whether, on particular days, they perceived themselves to be located in their head regions of their bodies or their heart regions. When the self was perceived to be in the heart to a greater extent, participants reported higher levels of affective and eudaimonic well-being, as mediated by processes related to reward perception (Study 1), savoring (Study 2), and social activity (Study 3). In terms of daily experiences, the heart-located self is a happier self.

Control and coding of pupil size by hypothalamic orexin neurons

Brain orexin (hypocretin) neurons are implicated in sleep–wake switching and reward-seeking but their roles in rapid arousal dynamics and reward perception are unclear. Here, cell-specific stimulation, deletion and in vivo recordings revealed strong correlative and causal links between pupil dilation—a quantitative arousal marker—and orexin cell activity. Coding of arousal and reward was distributed across orexin cells, indicating that they specialize in rapid, multiplexed communication of momentary arousal and reward states.

Neuroimaging alterations of the suicidal brain and its relevance to practice: an updated review of MRI studies.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Historically, scientific inquiry has focused on psychological theory. However, more recent studies have started to shed light on complex biosignatures using MRI techniques, including task-based and resting-state functional MRI, brain morphometry, and diffusion tensor imaging. Here, we review recent research across these modalities, with a focus on participants with depression and Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior (STB). A PubMed search identified 149 articles specific to our population of study, and this was further refined to rule out more diffuse pathologies such as psychotic disorders and organic brain injury and illness. This left 69 articles which are reviewed in the current study. The collated articles reviewed point to a complex impairment showing atypical functional activation in areas associated with perception of reward, social/affective stimuli, top-down control, and reward-based learning. This is broadly supported by the atypical morphometric and diffusion-weighted alterations and, most significantly, in the network-based resting-state functional connectivity data that extrapolates network functions from well validated psychological paradigms using functional MRI analysis. We see an emerging picture of cognitive dysfunction evident in task-based and resting state fMRI and network neuroscience studies, likely preceded by structural changes best demonstrated in morphometric and diffusion-weighted studies. We propose a clinically-oriented chronology of the diathesis-stress model of suicide and link other areas of research that may be useful to the practicing clinician, while helping to advance the translational study of the neurobiology of suicide.

How desirable is the medium? Effect of point accumulation scheme on consumer loyalty toward reward program

An accruable point scenario study was applied to examine the effect of the point-accumulation trend (diminishing vs. increasing) and the nominal value (small vs. large) of a medium for repeated consumption on program loyalty. The results showed that both factors affect consumer loyalty toward a reward program. Consumers who received a medium with an increasing accumulation trend and a large nominal value perceived a reward to be more valuable than those who received a diminishing trend and a small nominal value. The results confirmed that a large nominal value or an increasing accumulation trend increased the perception of reward and program loyalty. However, when the desirability of the medium was controlled, the effect of trend was reduced to almost negligible whereas that of the nominal value remained the same. These findings suggest how consumer perceptions of loyalty programs can be practically managed through point accumulation processes.

Enhanced sweet taste perception in obesity: Joint analysis of gustatory data from multiple studies.

While sweet taste perception is a potential determinant of feeding behavior in obesity, the supporting evidence is inconsistent and is typically associated with methodological limitations. Notably, possible associations between sweet taste perception and measures of food reward remain undetermined. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis comparing 246 individuals with severe obesity and 174 healthy volunteers using a validated method for taste perception assessment. We included gustatory variables, namely intensity and pleasantness ratings of sour, salt, sweet, and bitter tastants, and taste thresholds assessed by electrogustometry. Reward-related feeding behavior, including hedonic hunger, food addiction, feeding behavior traits, and acceptance of foods and alcohol, was evaluated using self-rated scales for comparison with gustatory measures. In logistic regressions adjusted for age, gender, educational level, and research center, we found that a greater likelihood of belonging to the obesity group was associated with higher sweet intensity ratings (OR = 1.4, P = 0.01), hedonic hunger, food addiction symptoms, restrained and emotional eating (1.7 < OR ≤ 4.6, all P ≤ 0.001), and lower alcohol acceptance (OR = 0.6, P = 0.0002). Using principal component analysis, we found that while hedonic hunger, food addiction, and emotional eating were strongly interrelated, they were not associated with sweet intensity perception that, in turn, had a closer relationship with alcohol acceptance and restrained eating. We found that individuals with obesity report higher sweet taste intensity ratings than healthy controls. Furthermore, while psychological measures of reward-related feeding behavior assess a common construct, sweet intensity perception may represent a different obesity-related dimension.

Reading the MAP: A Pracademic Perspective on the Current State of Play of the Multi-Action Plan Model with Regard to Transitions between Mental States

The Multi-Action Plan (MAP) presents as an action-focused, sport-specific, mixed methods intervention model. MAP research characterized four Performance Types (PTs). Each PT operates on an affective, cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological level-across performance contexts. In this narrative review, we present a synthesis of our current understanding of MAP research, coupled with offering applied implications and directions for future research. We make the case for investigating the timing of transitions between PTs as our primary area of interest in expanding the MAP framework on a conceptual and applied level. Regarding pre-transition cues, we offer ideas on examining socio-environmental precursors to performance, with the aim of expanding MAP from a psycho-bio (affective, cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological dimensions) to a biopsychosocial concept (affective, cognitive, behavioral, psychophysiological, and socio-environmental dimensions). Regarding post-transition, we propose that investigating short- and long-term effort and reward perception will yield valuable insights into athletes' rationales behind the selection, operationalization, and experience of specific PTs. Finally, and from a pracademic perspective, we reflect critically on the achievements of MAP research thus far and provide specific directions for future research.

Gestational immune activation disrupts hypothalamic neurocircuits of maternal care behavior

Immune activation is one of the most common complications during pregnancy, predominantly evoked by viral infections. Nevertheless, how immune activation affects mother–offspring relationships postpartum remains unknown. Here, by using the polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) model of gestational infection we show that viral-like immune activation at mid-gestation persistently changes hypothalamic neurocircuit parameters in mouse dams and, consequently, is adverse to parenting behavior. Poly I:C-exposed dams favor non-pup-directed exploratory behavior at the expense of pup retrieval. These behavioral deficits are underlain by dendrite pruning and lesser immediate early gene activation in Galanin (Gal)+ neurons with dam-specific transcriptional signatures that reside in the medial preoptic area (mPOA). Reduced activation of an exclusively inhibitory contingent of these distal-projecting Gal+ neurons allows for increased feed-forward inhibition onto putative dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in Poly I:C-exposed dams. Notably, destabilized VTA output specifically accompanies post-pup retrieval epochs. We suggest that gestational immunogenic insults bias both threat processing and reward perception, manifesting as disfavored infant caregiving.