Paralimbic system and striatum are involved in motivational behavior.
Goal-directed rewarded behavior and goal-directed non-rewarded behavior are concerned with motivation. However, the neural substrates involved in goal-directed non-rewarded behaviors are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated the brain activities of healthy individuals during a novel tool use (turning a screwdriver) to elucidate the relationship between the brain mechanism relevant to goal-directed non-rewarded behavior and motivation. We found that our designed behavioral task evoked activities in the orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, anterior insula, lateral prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex compared with a meaningless task. These results suggest that activation in these cerebral regions play important roles in motivational behavior without tangible rewards.
Nishimura
Masahiko
M
Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, Japan. k048772@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Yoshii
Yoshihiko
Y
Watanabe
Jobu
J
Ishiuchi
Shogo
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008032:Limbic System / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012201:Reward; D055815:Young Adult