Parents, teachers, and pet owners know that rewards greatly influence behavior in both humans and animals. Rewards, whether in the form of treats, gifts, appreciation, praise, fame, or money, reinforce positive behavior. While the link between rewards and future choices has long been recognized in neuroscience, the neural processes behind it have remained largely unexplored. How does the brain encode, remember, and translate reward cues into future actions?
A recent study by Dr. Sameer Sheth, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, revealed that beta frequency neural activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of the brain plays a crucial role in recognizing rewards, making decisions, and shaping future behaviors.
This study, published in Nature Communications, also highlighted changes in this neural signature among individuals with depression, suggesting a potential new biomarker and treatment avenue.
Anhedonia, a key symptom of depression and other disorders
Most people find pleasure in various activities and social interactions. However, those with depression often experience prolonged feelings of hopelessness and sadness, leading to anhedonia – the inability to experience joy or satisfaction in previously enjoyable activities. This symptom significantly impacts their quality of life and is also common in other psychiatric and neurological disorders.
How beta activity in the brain’s frontal lobe influences reward response
Researchers recorded neural activity from the ACC in individuals with epilepsy and observed how their brains responded to a reward-based task. They found that beta frequency neural oscillations in the ACC strongly correlated with reward-related behavior, suggesting this brain region plays a critical role in evaluating and responding to rewards.
Among individuals with severe treatment-resistant depression, alterations in reward processing were noted in the ACC. These individuals did not exhibit the typical reward-oriented behaviors, indicating a lack of anticipation toward rewards. Their beta brain activity in the ACC region was reduced and delayed compared to others.
“Identifying beta activity in the ACC as a potential biomarker for anhedonia could improve diagnosis and treatment for severe depression and related conditions,” said Dr. Sheth, highlighting the potential of modulating ACC beta activity for treating anhedonia in future clinical trials.
This groundbreaking research, supported by the NIH BRAIN Initiative, showcases how advancements in neurotechnology are shaping precision treatments for mental health conditions and paving the way for more targeted therapies.