Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Encodes Emotional Value

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4317-12.2013
• Publication Date: 2013-07-03T18:22:05Z
• Authors: A. Winecoff; J. A. Clithero; R. M. Carter; S. R. Bergman; L. Wang; S. A. Huettel
• Keywords: Ventromedial prefrontal cortex; Stimulus (psychology); Emotional valence

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) plays a critical role in processing appetitive stimuli. Recent investigations have shown that reward value signals the vmPFC can be altered by emotion regulation processes; however, to what extent of positive relies on neural regions implicated is unclear. Here, we investigated effects valuation emotionally evocative images. Two independent experimental samples human participants performed cognitive reappraisal task while undergoing fMRI. experience emotions activated vmPFC, whereas led relative decreases activation. During emotions, activation tracked participants9 own subjective ratings valence Furthermore, also normative stimuli when were asked their but not regulate them. A separate analysis predictive power behavior indicated even after accounting for stimulus and condition, increased signal was associated with more ratings. These results suggest encodes domain-general tracks only external rewards, emotional