Distinct cognitive mechanisms in a gambling task share neural mechanisms.
Distinct psychological processes have been proposed to unfold in decision-making. The time course of neural mechanisms supporting these processes has not been fully identified. The present MEG study examined spatio-temporal activity related to components of decision-making proposed to support reward valuation, reward prediction, and outcome evaluation. Each trial presented information on reward value (10 or 50 cents) and reward probability (10%, 50%, or 90%). Brain activity related to those inputs and to outcome feedback was evaluated via electromagnetic responses in source space. Distributed dipole activity reflected reward value and reward probability 150-350 ms after information arrival. Neural responses to reward-value information peaked earlier than those to reward-probability information. Results suggest that valuation, prediction, and outcome evaluation share neural structures and mechanisms even on a relatively fine time scale.
Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany. Astrid.Steffen@uni-konstanz.de
Astrid
A
Steffen
Brigitte
B
Rockstroh
Christian
C
Wienbruch
Gregory A
GA
Miller
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011336:Probability; D012201:Reward