title: Distinct neural correlates of the preference-related valuation of supraliminally and subliminally presented faces.
abstract: Recent neuroimaging studies have investigated the neural substrates involved in the valuation of supraliminally presented targets and the subsequent preference decisions. However, the neural mechanisms of the valuation of subliminally presented targets, which can guide subsequent preference decisions, remain to be explored. In the present study, we determined whether the neural systems associated with the valuation of supraliminally presented faces are involved in the valuation of subliminally presented faces. The subjects were supraliminally and subliminally presented with faces during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Following fMRI, the subjects were presented with pairs of faces and were asked to choose which face they preferred. We analyzed brain activation by back-sorting the fMRI data according to the subjects' choices. The present study yielded two main findings. First, the ventral striatum and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex predict preferences only for supraliminally presented faces. Second, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex may predict preferences for subliminally presented faces. These findings indicate that neural correlates of the preference-related valuation of faces are dissociable, contingent upon whether the subjects consciously perceive the faces.
authors.affiliation: Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.|Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayahito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuhito
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Yousuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Iori
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.affiliation: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Tokyo, Japan.|Division of Systems Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Department of Functioning and Disability, Faculty of Health Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.affiliation: Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsue
authors.affiliation: Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshikatsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujii
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005145:Face; D000066499:Facial Recognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013360:Subliminal Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: dorsomedial prefrontal cortex; preference; subliminal; value; ventral striatum; ventromedial prefrontal cortex