Beta oscillations and reward processing: Coupling oscillatory activity and hemodynamic responses

Neuroimage. 2015 Oct 1:119:13-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.05.095. Epub 2015 Jun 10.

Abstract

Diverse cortical and subcortical regions are synergically engaged during reward processing. Previous studies using time-frequency decomposition of Electroencephalography (EEG) data have revealed an increase of mid-frontal beta oscillatory activity (BOA) after reward delivery, which could be a potential mechanism in the coordination of the different areas engaged during reward processing. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, twenty subjects performed a monetary gambling paradigm in two separate sessions (EEG and fMRI). Time-frequency oscillatory EEG data and fMRI activity were fused using Joint Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The present results showed that mid-frontal BOA elicited by monetary gains is associated with the engagement of a fronto-striatal-hippocampal network previously involved in reward-related memory enhancement, supporting the role of this activity during reward processing.

Keywords: Beta oscillations; JointICA; Reward; Time–frequency; fMRI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Beta Rhythm*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Choice Behavior / physiology
  • Corpus Striatum / physiology
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Humans
  • Learning / physiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Reward*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Young Adult