title: Neural reward processing is modulated by approach- and avoidance-related personality traits.
abstract: The neural processing of reward can be differentiated into two sub-components with different functions, "wanting" (i.e., the expectation of a reward which includes appetitive and motivational components) and "liking" (i.e., the hedonic impact experienced during the receipt of a reward), involving distinct neural systems. We hypothesize that variability in neural reward processing previously observed in healthy subjects could reflect inter-individual differences in personality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how the neural processing during expectation and reception of a reward depends on interpersonal differences in reward sensitivity, more specifically the tendency to approach vs. avoid reward-related situations. We employed event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging during a monetary incentive delay task. Subjects with a high approach motivation showed more activation of the Ventral Striatum (VS) during the receipt of a reward, and more medial orbitofrontal activity during both the receipt and omission of a reward. Subjects with a high behavioral inhibition showed less activation in the VS during the receipt of a reward. These findings indicate that the tendency to approach or avoid reward-related situations exhibits a distinct relation with neural reward processing. Specifically, subjects with high behavioral approach appear to be sensitive mainly to positive outcomes and to a lesser extent to the omissions of rewards, whereas subjects with low behavioral approach as well as those with a high inhibition tendency display a blunted response to rewards.
authors.affiliation: Section of Experimental Psychopathology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Germany. joe.simon@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Joe J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walther
authors.forename: Christian J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fiebach
authors.forename: Hans-Christoph
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Friederich
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stippich
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weisbrod
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaiser
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003463:Cues; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D010556:Personality Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011930:Reaction Time; D012201:Reward; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult