22 May 2023

Development and validation of an fMRI-informed EEG model of reward-related ventral striatum activation

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/ Singer N, Poker G, Dunsky-Moran N, Nemni S, Reznik Balter S, Doron M, Baker T, Dagher A, Zatorre RJ, Hendler T.

NeuroImage 276 (2023) 120183.

Demonstrating the feasibility of an EFP model for the ventral striatum (VS-EFP). 
The ventral striatum (VS) is a key brain region involved in reward processing, in which the brain associates an event or stimulus with a positive feeling or desirable outcome. Therefore, learning to self-regulate the VS might be useful to individuals suffering from difficulties in reward processing, such as anhedonia (i.e., reduced ability to feel pleasure). This study examined the possibility to track VS activity using EEG signals. 

Based on the successful approach that led to the generation of the amygdala-EFP, a new EFP model was generated to predict the fMRI response of the VS from EEG signals. The model was developed from simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings in one group of participants, and validated in simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings of a separate group, while participants listened to music.

The VS-EFP model produced from EEG signals in the first group successfully predicted VS activity, as measured by the fMRI signal, in both groups. The VS-EFP was also associated with the extent to which participants enjoyed the music they listened to during the experiment. The VS-EFP is therefore an effective biomarker of VS activity related to pleasurable experience.

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To read the full article in NeuroImage - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811923003348