Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.09.20.305482v1?rss=1 Authors: Yee, D. M., Crawford, J. L., Braver, T. S. Abstract: Humans can seamlessly combine value signals from diverse motivational incentives, yet it is not well-understood how these signals are 'bundled' in the brain to modulate cognitive control. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is theorized to integrate motivational value dimensions in the service of goal-directed action, though this hypothesis has yet to receive rigorous confirmation. Here, we examine the role of dACC in motivational integration using an experimental paradigm that quantifies combined effects of liquid (e.g., juice, neutral, saltwater) and monetary incentives on cognitive task performance. These incentives modulated dACC activity in both a trial-by-trial and block-wise fashion. Incentive-related dACC modulation predicted fluctuations in cognitive performance and self-report motivation ratings. Statistical mediation analyses indicate that dACC encodes incentives in terms of subjective motivational value, and that this value signal is associated with task performance. These results suggest dACC integrates motivational signals to compute the expected value of goal-directed cognitive control. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info