Structural integrity of the prefrontal cortex modulates electrocortical sensitivity to reward

J Cogn Neurosci. 2012 Jul;24(7):1560-70. doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_00166. Epub 2011 Nov 18.

Abstract

The P300 is a known ERP component assessing stimulus value, including the value of a monetary reward. In parallel, the incentive value of reinforcers relies on the PFC, a major cortical projection region of the mesocortical reward pathway. Here we show a significant positive correlation between P300 response to money (vs. no money) with PFC gray matter volume in the OFC, ACC, and dorsolateral and ventrolateral PFC in healthy control participants. In contrast, individuals with cocaine use disorders showed compromises in both P300 sensitivity to money and PFC gray matter volume in the ventrolateral PFC and OFC and their interdependence. These results document for the first time the importance of gray matter structural integrity of subregions of PFC to the reward-modulated P300 response.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Event-Related Potentials, P300 / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prefrontal Cortex / anatomy & histology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Reward*