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.
Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, Japan. k048772@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Masahiko
M
Nishimura
Yoshihiko
Y
Yoshii
Jobu
J
Watanabe
Shogo
S
Ishiuchi
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