The role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in human pavlovian threat conditioning has been relegated largely to extinction or reversal previously acquired stimulus–outcome associations. However, recent neuroimaging evidence questions this view by also showing activity vmPFC during acquisition. Here we investigate casual acquisition assessing skin conductance response (SCR) and declarative memory contingencies a differential threat-conditioning paradigm eight patients with...

The ability to generalize from and distinguish between aversive memories novel experiences is critical survival. Previous research has revealed mechanisms underlying generalization of threat-conditioned defensive responses, but little known about episodic memory for threatening events. Here we tested if learning influences events in human adults. Subjects underwent Pavlovian threat-conditioning which objects one category were paired with a shock different unpaired. next day, subjects...

Growing evidence suggests that humans and other animals assign value to a stimulus based not only on its inherent rewarding properties, but also the costs of action required obtain it, such as cost time. Here, we examined whether occurs for mentally simulated actions. Healthy volunteers indicated their subjective snack foods while time imagine performing different stimuli was manipulated. In each trial, picture one food item home position connected through path were displayed computer...

Abstract Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in different domains of emotion processing, especially relation to negative emotions. Nevertheless, its causal mechanisms remain elusive. Reduced anticipation emotional events might be one such mechanism because it enables the individual prepare respond effectively coming events. To test this, changes skin conductance response (SCR) were recorded during classical fear conditioning sixty participants with high (HA), medium (MA) and low...

Individual differences in emotion processing, i.e. aIndividuals with high levels of alexithymia, a personality trait marked by difficulties identifying and describing feelings an externally oriented style thinking, have been associatedappear to the need forrequire more time accurately recognize intense static emotional facial expressions (EFEs). However, everyday life, EFEs are dynamic displayed at different intensity individuals alexithymia may also identify EFEs. Nevertheless, which raises...

Abstract The ability to flexibly adjust one's threat predictions meet the current environmental contingencies is crucial survival. Nevertheless, its neural oscillatory correlates remain elusive in humans. Here, we tested whether changes theta and alpha brain oscillations mark updating of correlate with response peripheral nervous system. To this end, electroencephalogram electrodermal activity were recorded a group healthy adults, who completed Pavlovian conditioning task that included an...

Fear conditioning is used to investigate the neural bases of threat and anxiety, understand their flexible modifications when environment changes. This study aims examine temporal evolution brain rhythms using electroencephalographic signals recorded in healthy volunteers during a protocol Pavlovian fear reversal. Power changes Granger connectivity theta, alpha, gamma bands are investigated from neuroelectrical activity reconstructed on cortex. Results show significant increase theta power...

Abstract By anticipating potential rewards, external cues can guide behavior to achieve a goal. Whether the conscious elaboration of these is necessary elicit cue-guided choices still unknown. The goal present study test whether subliminal presentation visual cue previously paired with reward sufficient bias responses that lead same or similar reward. To this aim, three experiments compared and supraliminal reward-associated during Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer task. In line previous...

Prompt response to environmental threats is critical survival. Previous research has revealed mechanisms underlying threat-conditioned physiological responses, but little known about how shape action. Here we tested if threat learning shapes the kinematics of reaching in human adults. In two different experiments conducted on independent samples participants, after Pavlovian learning, which a stimulus anticipated delivery an aversive shock, whereas another did not, peak velocity and...

Pain-related motor adaptations may be enacted predictively at the mere threat of pain, before pain occurrence. Yet, in humans, neurophysiological mechanisms underlying anticipation remain poorly understood. We tracked evolution changes corticospinal excitability (CSE) as healthy adults learned to anticipate occurrence lateralized, muscle-specific upper limb. Using a Pavlovian conditioning task, different visual stimuli predicted right or left forearm (experiment 1) hand 2). During...

Alexithymia is a subclinical trait defined by difficulties in identifying and describing feelings cognitive style avoidant of introspection. Extensive literature shows that alexithymia characterized multifaceted impairments processing emotional stimuli. Nevertheless, the mechanisms may account for such remain elusive. Here, we hypothesize be understood as impairment learning value one's own actions test this comparing performance participants with high (HA) low (LA) levels on probabilistic...

Abstract The main aim of the CASTLE (Cabin System Design Towards Passenger Wellbeing) European project is to deliver innovative interiors solutions that maximize comfort and wellbeing passengers in next future. To achieve such objective, an effective HCD (Human Centred Design) approach has been employed derive a Human Response Model based on holistic assessment comfort. overall methodology conceived provide different tools methods collect data impact design each cabin item user from earliest...

When repeatedly paired with rewarding outcomes (i.e., Pavlovian conditioning), environmental cues may acquire predictive and motivational significance later enhance instrumental responding for the same outcome-specific transfer) or motivationally similar general outcomes. Although Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) are characterized by different neural substrates behavioral mechanisms, transfer has never been studied in isolation from humans. The first aim of present study was to test...

Tactile perception on one's own face is enhanced when viewing a fearful being touched – as opposed to just approached by fingers, compared other expressions, phenomenon known the emotional modulation of Visual Remapping Touch ( eVRT ). This effect seems be related preferential activation somatosensory system in response threat. To test contribution amygdala this mechanism, group patients with unilateral lesions amygdala, control extra‐temporal regions, and healthy participants completed an...

Extensive literature shows that alexithymia, a subclinical trait defined by difficulties in identifying and describing feelings, is characterized multifaceted impairments processing emotional stimuli. Nevertheless, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we hypothesize alexithymia may be an alteration learning the value of encountered stimuli test this assessing differences between individuals with low (LA) high (HA) levels computation reward prediction errors (RPEs) during Pavlovian...

A central question in Pavlovian conditioning concerns the critical conditions that drive acquisition and maintenance of stimulus-outcome association. The spatial relationship between conditioned (CS) unconditioned (US) stimuli is considered to exert strong effects on learning. However, how information modulates learning remains mostly unexplored humans. Here, we test compatibility CS US location influences acquisition, extinction, recovery (following reinstatement) threat. Participants (N =...

Despite the widespread use of delay discounting task in clinical and non-clinical contexts, several versions are available literature, making it hard to compare results across studies. Moreover, normative data not evaluate individual performances. The present study aims propose a unified version based on monetary rewards provides values built an Italian sample 357 healthy participants. most used parameters literature assess discount rate were compared find valid index discriminate between...