Embedding reward signals into perception and cognition
Open accessAbstract
Despite considerable interest in the neural basis of valuation, the question of how valuation affects cognitive processing has received relatively less attention. Here, we review evidence from recent behavioral and neuroimaging studies supporting the notion that motivation can enhance perceptual and executive control processes to achieve more efficient goal-directed behavior. Specifically, in the context of cognitive tasks offering monetary gains, improved behavioral performance has been repeatedly observed in conjunction with elevated neural activations in task-relevant perceptual, cognitive and reward-related regions. We address the neural basis of motivation-cognition interactions by suggesting various modes of communication between relevant neural networks: (1) global hub regions may integrate information from multiple inputs providing a communicative link between specialized networks; (2) point-to-point interactions allow for more specific cross-network communication; and (3) diffuse neuromodulatory systems can relay motivational signals to cortex and enhance signal processing. Together, these modes of communication allow information regarding motivational significance to reach relevant brain regions and shape behavior.
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“Based on these notions, I have argued elsewhere that a network perspective is needed for the understanding of the interactions between emotion, motivation, perception, and cognition (Pessoa 2008; 2009; 2010a; Pessoa & Engelmann 2010).”
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- Authors
- Pessoa, L.
- Affiliations
- Indiana University Bloomington (US)
- Corresponding author
- Pessoa, Luiz
- ORCID
- Pessoa, Luiz
- Venue
- Frontiers in Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2010-09
- Volume
- 4
- ISSN
- 1662-453X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2940450
- OpenAlex
- W2136347166
- Cited by
- 279
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 10.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH071589)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- reward signals, motivation, valuation, perceptual processing, executive function, goal-directed behavior, financial incentives, hub regions, neuromodulation, cognitive performance
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