Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worth
When deciding, we aim to choose the best possible outcome. This is not just selection of the option that is the most numerous or physically largest, as options are translated from objective value (count) to subjective value (worth or utility). We localized the neural instantiation of the value-to-ut...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2016-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnins.2016.00507/full |
| _version_ | 1818845595088977920 |
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| author | Yoanna Arlina Kurnianingsih O'Dhaniel A Mullette-Gillman |
| author_facet | Yoanna Arlina Kurnianingsih O'Dhaniel A Mullette-Gillman |
| author_sort | Yoanna Arlina Kurnianingsih |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | When deciding, we aim to choose the best possible outcome. This is not just selection of the option that is the most numerous or physically largest, as options are translated from objective value (count) to subjective value (worth or utility). We localized the neural instantiation of the value-to-utility transformation to the dorsal anterior midcingulate cortex (daMCC), with independent replication. The daMCC encodes the context-specific information necessary to convert from count to worth. This encoding is not simply a representation of utility or preference, but the interaction of the two. Specifically, the relationship of brain activation to value is dependent on individual preference, with both positive and negative slopes across the population depending on whether each individual’s preference results in enhancement or diminishment of the valuation. For a given value, across participants, enhanced daMCC activation corresponds to diminished subjective valuation, deactivation to enhanced subjective valuation, and non-modulated activation with non-modulated subjective valuation. Further, functional connectivity analyses identified brain regions (positive connectivity with the inferior frontal gyrus and negative connectivity with the nucleus accumbens) through which contextual information may be integrated into the daMCC and allow for outputs to modulate valuation signals. All analyses were replicated through an independent within-study replication, with initial testing in the gains domain and replication in the intermixed and mirrored losses trials. We also present and discuss an ancillary finding, we were unable to identify parametric value signals for losses through whole-brain analyses, and ROI analyses of the vmPFC presented non-modulation across loss value levels. These results identify the neural locus of the value-to-utility transformation, and provide a specific computational function for the daMCC in the production of subjective valuation through the integration of value, context, and preferences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:32:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-875b1b2a52294d1a9d9cb4ebee2400dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:32:09Z |
| publishDate | 2016-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-875b1b2a52294d1a9d9cb4ebee2400dc2022-12-21T20:34:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2016-11-011010.3389/fnins.2016.00507214584Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worthYoanna Arlina Kurnianingsih0O'Dhaniel A Mullette-Gillman1National University of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeWhen deciding, we aim to choose the best possible outcome. This is not just selection of the option that is the most numerous or physically largest, as options are translated from objective value (count) to subjective value (worth or utility). We localized the neural instantiation of the value-to-utility transformation to the dorsal anterior midcingulate cortex (daMCC), with independent replication. The daMCC encodes the context-specific information necessary to convert from count to worth. This encoding is not simply a representation of utility or preference, but the interaction of the two. Specifically, the relationship of brain activation to value is dependent on individual preference, with both positive and negative slopes across the population depending on whether each individual’s preference results in enhancement or diminishment of the valuation. For a given value, across participants, enhanced daMCC activation corresponds to diminished subjective valuation, deactivation to enhanced subjective valuation, and non-modulated activation with non-modulated subjective valuation. Further, functional connectivity analyses identified brain regions (positive connectivity with the inferior frontal gyrus and negative connectivity with the nucleus accumbens) through which contextual information may be integrated into the daMCC and allow for outputs to modulate valuation signals. All analyses were replicated through an independent within-study replication, with initial testing in the gains domain and replication in the intermixed and mirrored losses trials. We also present and discuss an ancillary finding, we were unable to identify parametric value signals for losses through whole-brain analyses, and ROI analyses of the vmPFC presented non-modulation across loss value levels. These results identify the neural locus of the value-to-utility transformation, and provide a specific computational function for the daMCC in the production of subjective valuation through the integration of value, context, and preferences.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnins.2016.00507/fullDecision MakingfMRIrisky decision makingfunctional connectivityriskuncertainty |
| spellingShingle | Yoanna Arlina Kurnianingsih O'Dhaniel A Mullette-Gillman Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worth Frontiers in Neuroscience Decision Making fMRI risky decision making functional connectivity risk uncertainty |
| title | Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worth |
| title_full | Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worth |
| title_fullStr | Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worth |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worth |
| title_short | Neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility: Converting from count to worth |
| title_sort | neural mechanisms of the transformation from objective value to subjective utility converting from count to worth |
| topic | Decision Making fMRI risky decision making functional connectivity risk uncertainty |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnins.2016.00507/full |
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