The flow of reward information through neuronal ensembles in the accumbens.

The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) integrates reward information through diverse and specialized neuronal ensembles, influencing decision-making. By training rats in a probabilistic choice task and recording NAcSh neuronal activity, we found that rats adapt their choices based solely on the presence or absence of a sucrose reward, suggesting they build an internal representation of reward likelihood. We further demonstrate that NAcSh ensembles dynamically process different aspects of reward-guided behavior, with changes in composition and functional connections observed throughout the reinforcement learning process. The NAcSh forms a highly connected network characterized by a heavy-tailed distribution and the presence of neuronal hubs, facilitating efficient information flow. Reward delivery enhances mutual information, indicating increased communication between ensembles and network synchronization, whereas reward omission decreases it. Our findings reveal how reward information flows through dynamic NAcSh ensembles, whose flexible membership adapts as the rat learns to obtain rewards (energy) in an ever-changing environment.

Aesthetic chills modulate reward learning in Anhedonic depression.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the potential of experiencing aesthetic chills to enhance reward learning in individuals with elevated depressive symptoms, specifically anhedonia, by investigating the effect of chills on participants' ability to modulate behavior as a function of rewards. METHODS: A total of 103 participants with elevated depressive symptoms took part in the experiment. Among them, 59 participants had depressive symptoms (BDI ≥ 20), with 26 classified as "High Anhedonic" (HA) and 33 as "Low Anhedonic" (LA). Additionally, 39 participants without elevated depressive symptoms (BDI < 20 and SHAPs <32) were included as the control group. We utilized ChillsDB, an open-source database of validated audiovisual stimuli known to elicit chills in the US population. RESULTS: Anhedonic participants who experienced chills demonstrated a significant increase in response bias (p = .004) towards rewards compared to those who did not experience chills. Highlighting specificity, no significant difference in reward bias was observed among LA participants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the experience of chills has the potential to impact reward learning in anhedonic individuals, aligning with the known neurobiology of this phenomenon. These results highlight the potential of aesthetic chills as a novel approach to elicit and enhance positive affect in depressed populations.

Relationship of prefrontal cortex activity with anhedonia and cognitive function in major depressive disorder: an fNIRS study.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with deficits in cognitive function, thought to be related to underlying decreased hedonic experiences. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of functional brain activity in this relationship. In this study, we investigated the neurofunctional correlate of the interplay between cognitive function and hedonic experiences in medication-free MDD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods: We examine differences of brain activation corresponding to the verbal fluency test (VFT) between MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs). Fifty-six MDD patients and 35 HCs underwent fMRI scanning while performing the VFT. In exploratory analyses, cognitive performance, as assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), four dimensions of hedonic processing (desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure) measured by the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS), and relative changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration during the VFT were compared across groups. Results: Patients with MDD demonstrated impairments in sustained attention and working memory, accompanied by lower total and subscale scores on the DARS. Compared to healthy controls, MDD patients exhibited reduced activation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during the VFT task (t = 2.32 to 4.77, p < 0.001 to 0.02, FDR corrected). DARS motivation, desire, and total scores as well as sustained attention, were positively correlated with activation in the dorsolateral PFC and Broca's area (p < 0.05, FDR corrected). Conclusions: These findings indicate that changes in prefrontal lobe oxygenated hemoglobin levels, a region implicated in hedonic motivation and cognitive function, may serve as potential biomarkers for interventions targeting individuals with MDD. Our results corroborate the clinical consensus that the prefrontal cortex is a primary target for non-invasive neuromodulatory treatments for depression.

How can restaurants entice patrons to order environmentally sustainable dishes? Testing new approaches based on hedonic psychology and affective forecasting theory.

Encouraging restaurant guests to order vegetarian dishes plays a key role in creating a more environmentally sustainable tourism sector. However, for many consumers eating a meat dish is an important aspect of their enjoyment-focused restaurant experience. Identifying new approaches that support restaurants in selling more vegetarian dishes are urgently needed. Drawing from hedonic psychology and affective forecasting theory, this study tests two interventions aimed at directing ordering towards specific vegetarian dishes in a scenario-based survey experiment with 742 consumers. Results show the potential of affective forecasting as a promising psychological mechanism. Displaying an appetising picture of a vegetarian dish on a menu increases stated ordering of the dish because the picture directs consumer attention to the dish and triggers them to imagine eating the dish. Consumers who imagine eating the dish feel stronger anticipated enjoyment of eating it. Adding to the picture an invitation to imagine eating the dish does not further increase the effect. This study explains the psychological mechanism of how a picture of an appetising vegetarian dish changes food choices and provides restaurants with a cost-effective measure to direct ordering towards more environmentally sustainable dishes.

The role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide neurons in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus and the cognate PAC1 receptor in the regulation of hedonic feeding.

Obesity is a health malady that affects mental, physical, and social health. Pathology includes chronic imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, likely facilitated by dysregulation of the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway. We explored the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) neurons in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and the PACAP-selective (PAC1) receptor in regulating hedonic feeding. We hypothesized that VMN PACAP neurons would inhibit reward-encoding mesolimbic (A10) dopamine neurons via PAC1 receptor activation and thereby suppress impulsive consumption brought on by intermittent exposure to highly palatable food. Visualized whole-cell patch clamp recordings coupled with in vivo behavioral experiments were utilized in wildtype, PACAP-cre, TH-cre, and TH-cre/PAC1 receptor-floxed mice. We found that bath application of PACAP directly inhibited preidentified A10 dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) from TH-cre mice. This inhibitory action was abrogated by the selective knockdown of the PAC1 receptor in A10 dopamine neurons. PACAP delivered directly into the VTA decreases binge feeding accompanied by reduced meal size and duration in TH-cre mice. These effects are negated by PAC1 receptor knockdown in A10 dopamine neurons. Additionally, apoptotic ablation of VMN PACAP neurons increased binge consumption in both lean and obese, male and female PACAP-cre mice relative to wildtype controls. These findings demonstrate that VMN PACAP neurons blunt impulsive, binge feeding behavior by activating PAC1 receptors to inhibit A10 dopamine neurons. As such, they impart impactful insight into potential treatment strategies for conditions such as obesity and food addiction.

'Pleasureful self-control'? A new perspective on old problems.

Many societal challenges, for example regarding health and sustainability, are conceptualized as problems of too little self-control: people's long-term goals are jeopardized (e.g., healthy weight, small carbon footprint) because one cannot resist attractive alternatives (e.g., chocolate cake, vacation in the sun). Here, we introduce a different way of conceptualizing those challenges, namely as problems of 'too little pleasure'. We review empirical evidence showing that pleasure can support three central aspects of self-control: the initiation of long-term goal behavior, persistence in long-term goal pursuit, and resisting tempting alternatives. We close by encouraging the field to change perspectives and to include pleasure in the solution of problems that have mainly been studied as a matter of too little self-control and too much pleasure.

Beyond Distracted Eating: Cognitive Distraction Downregulates Odor Pleasantness and Interacts with Weight Status.

Considering the widespread issue of distracted eating, our study investigates how cognitive distraction influences the sensory perception of food-related odors among individuals with varying weight statuses. We conducted an exploratory, randomized, and cross-sectional experimental study, using the Tetris game to simulate real-life cognitive distraction, incorporating two distraction levels (low and high) and presenting five distinct odors. A total of 59 participants, categorized into a lean (n = 30) and overweight/obese group (n = 29) based on their body mass index (BMI), received odor stimuli while playing Tetris at low and high difficulty, corresponding to low and high distraction levels, respectively. Participants subsequently rated odor intensity and pleasantness under the two cognitive distraction conditions. Respiratory movements were monitored to ensure accurate olfactory stimulation. Our findings revealed no significant difference in odor intensity ratings across distraction levels (p = 0.903). However, there was a significant reduction in odor pleasantness under high cognitive distraction (p = 0.007), more pronounced in lean participants compared to those with an overweight status (p = 0.035). Additionally, an interaction between gender and cognitive distraction effects was observed in odor pleasantness perception. The differential effects of distraction across weight-status groups and genders are discussed in the context of hedonic motivation and compensatory mechanisms. This study sheds light onto the sensory mechanisms underlying distracted eating and could inform more personalized strategies for promoting healthier eating habits in a world dominated by distractions.

Formulation of complementary flours from pretreated pumpkin pulp, soybeans and spinach leaves: Nutritional, functional and sensory characterization.

One of the major causes of the high prevalence of young children suffering from malnutrition in developed countries is inadequate complementary feeding practices, and especially the low quality of homemade complementary foods. The present study aimed to use available local plant foods to formulate a complementary flour Which can be able to meet energy and nutrients requirements of children aged from 6 to 23 months. To achieve this goal, pumpkin was fermented, soybean soaked and roasted, and spinach steamed. The pre-treated ingredients were ground to obtain individual flours, which were blended in various proportions to obtain four complementary flours (PSS1, PSS2, PSS3, PSS4). The proximate and micronutrient composition, and the energy value of the blends were determined, and based on the results, two of them, that is; (PSS1 [Pumpkin 70 %/Soybean 25 %/Spinach 5 %], and PSS2 [Pumpkin 65 %/Soybean 25 %/Spinach 10 %]) were selected to pursue the Study. The functional properties (water absorption capacity, water solubility index, bulk density) and pasting properties of these two flours were then evaluated. Gruels were prepared from the flours and their energy densities, physical as well as sensory properties were evaluated. Moisture, ash, protein, fat, and sugar contents of PSS1 and PSS2 met the FAO/WHO standards. Fiber content in both flours was higher than the recommendation. Vitamin A and iron were sufficient in PSS2, while PSS1 had low iron content. Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium content of PSS1 and PSS2 were significantly higher than the standards. PSS1 and PSS2 had good water absorption capacity and solubility index, with low viscosity values (213 and 173 cP respectively), interesting functional properties for complementary flours. The gruels prepared with PSS1 and PSS2 flours had good fluidity and energy densities. They were fairly appreciated based on their organoleptic characteristics, with scores of 5.96 and 5.75 for overall acceptability. PSS2 could be recommended as infant flour rich in iron, vitamin A, and protein, with good nutritional values and functional properties.

Hypothalamic cannabinoid signaling: Consequences for eating behavior.

In parallel to the legalization of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes, cannabinoid use has steadily increased over the last decade in the United States. Cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol and anandamide, bind to the central cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor to impact several physiological processes relevant for body weight regulation, including appetite and energy expenditure. The hypothalamus integrates peripheral signals related to energy balance, houses several nuclei that orchestrate eating, and expresses the CB1 receptor. Herein we review literature to date concerning cannabinergic action in the hypothalamus with a specific focus on eating behaviors. We highlight hypothalamic areas wherein researchers have focused their attention, including the lateral, arcuate, paraventricular, and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei, and interactions with the hormone leptin. This review serves as a comprehensive analysis of what is known about cannabinoid signaling in the hypothalamus, highlights gaps in the literature, and suggests future directions.

Assessing the Reach and Engagement Effectiveness of Disseminating Food and Nutrition Information on Social Media Channels.

This study utilized Facebook and Instagram as communication channels for disseminating evidence-based food and nutrition information to low-income adults. From February 2021 to October 2022, 442 identical posts were shared across both platforms for audience reach and engagement. Posts were categorized in two ways: hedonic and three levels of utilitarian (informative, convenience, utility), based on widely applied social media uses and effects theory (Uses and Gratifications Perspective); and food/nutrition topics (dietary guidance, mealtime behaviors, recipes, food resource management, health behaviors, and community building). From predominantly image-based posts (82.6%), reach and engagement for Instagram (136,621 versus 6096, respectively) outperformed Facebook (83,275 versus 1276, respectively). Analysis of covariance of rank-order reach and engagement metrics (likes, replies, shares) showed Facebook engagement was consistent across hedonic and utilitarian categories while Instagram showed highest reach and engagement for utilitarian posts, especially those emphasizing food affordability. Facebook and Instagram differed in which food/nutrition topics achieved maximal reach and engagement. Fifteen posts were randomly selected for qualitative analysis to identify features reflecting engagement levels. Low-engagement posts featured low-color-contrast or less-appealing images, especially on Instagram. This study offers insights for practitioners and researchers aiming to use social media to promote healthy food and nutrition.

An overview of drivers and emotions of meat consumption.

Emotions are present in almost everything we do, including meat procurement, preparation and consumption. This paper examines the main drivers of this consumption, including sensory and hedonic properties, physiological needs, historical reasons and habits, social influence, ethical motives, practical aspects and other determinants, exploring the meat-related emotions as both an outcome of consumption and as consumption drivers. Emotions are affected by multiple factors relating to the context, the information provided, and the type of product. Positive emotions such as pleasure, satisfaction, proudness and joyfulness have been described in relation to meat, as well as some neutral or negative ones. To enhance positive emotions and increase meat liking, it is essential to improve animal welfare and promote a more sustainable production, focusing on nutritional and sensory quality and providing consumers with reliable information.

The pleasure of moving: A compositional data analysis of the association between replacing sedentary time with physical activity on affective valence in daily life.

Although the independent within-person association between physical activity and sedentary behaviour with valence in daily life has been extensively studied, few studies have used compositional data analysis to examine how different movement behaviour compositions are related to valence in daily life. This study aimed to examine the within-person association between wake-time movement behaviour compositions with affective valence and the extent to which replacing time spent sedentary with physical activity was associated with valence within individuals in daily life. A 7-day ecological momentary study design was used whereby 94 Canadian university students (Mage = 19.45, SD = 2.21, 78.7 % female) reported on affective valence using an adapted version of the Feeling Scale at 7 randomly timed prompts each day. In addition, activPAL accelerometers were worn continuously by participants on their right thigh for the duration of the study to determine time spent engaging in sedentary behaviours and physical activity. Compositional data analysis with isotemporal substitution models were used to examine the within-person association between movement behaviour compositions and affective valence. The within-person association between movement behaviours and affective valence was weak (r2 = 0.013). Nevertheless, engaging in less sedentary time than usual and instead engaging in physical activity was significantly related to more positive affective valence. Considering light intensity physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) separately, replacing time spent sedentary with time engaged in MVPA and LPA both had a significant positive association on affective valence, although the association with MVPA was stronger than the association with LPA. The results provide unique insights into how replacing sedentary time with physical activity in daily life, especially MVPA, may be associated with more feelings of pleasure. These results may be useful to help inform the development of just-in-time adaptive interventions.

The nucleus accumbens shell: a neural hub at the interface of homeostatic and hedonic feeding.

Feeding behavior is a complex physiological process regulated by the interplay between homeostatic and hedonic feeding circuits. Among the neural structures involved, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has emerged as a pivotal region at the interface of these two circuits. The NAc comprises distinct subregions and in this review, we focus mainly on the NAc shell (NAcSh). Homeostatic feeding circuits, primarily found in the hypothalamus, ensure the organism's balance in energy and nutrient requirements. These circuits monitor peripheral signals, such as insulin, leptin, and ghrelin, and modulate satiety and hunger states. The NAcSh receives input from these homeostatic circuits, integrating information regarding the organism's metabolic needs. Conversely, so-called hedonic feeding circuits involve all other non-hunger and -satiety processes, i.e., the sensory information, associative learning, reward, motivation and pleasure associated with food consumption. The NAcSh is interconnected with hedonics-related structures like the ventral tegmental area and prefrontal cortex and plays a key role in encoding hedonic information related to palatable food seeking or consumption. In sum, the NAcSh acts as a crucial hub in feeding behavior, integrating signals from both homeostatic and hedonic circuits, to facilitate behavioral output via its downstream projections. Moreover, the NAcSh's involvement extends beyond simple integration, as it directly impacts actions related to food consumption. In this review, we first focus on delineating the inputs targeting the NAcSh; we then present NAcSh output projections to downstream structures. Finally we discuss how the NAcSh regulates feeding behavior and can be seen as a neural hub integrating homeostatic and hedonic feeding signals, via a functionally diverse set of projection neuron subpopulations.

Sensory Analysis Performed within Augmented Virtuality System: Impact on Hedonic Scores, Engagement, and Presence Level.

Sensory analysis methodologies are performed in sensory booths designed to minimise external stimuli, lacking ecological validity. Immersive environments are used to introduce contextual cues, but there is a lack of studies using mixed reality systems. The main goal of this study was to evaluate an augmented virtuality (AV) system where participants are inserted into a virtual environment and evaluate a real product, being able to interact with both dimensions. A panel of 102 consumers evaluated five samples of commercial peach nectars in three sessions, each in a different environment: public food court, living room (AV environments), and laboratory (traditional sensory booth). Consumers rated overall liking, followed by open comments, and also answered an Engagement (EQ) and a Presence Questionnaire (PQ). The type of environment only affected hedonic discrimination among samples, with the laboratory setting being the only one with sample discrimination. Nonetheless, each sample was not evaluated differently across the different environments. Concerning engagement, the environment only significantly influenced the EQ's 'Affective Value' factor, being higher when using an AV system. The level of presence in the virtual environment was significantly higher in the public food court, being significantly correlated with the EQ factor scores.

An investigation into the sensory properties of luffa (Luffa cylindrica (L.)) seeds and a comparison to other seeds (flax, sunflower, chia, and hemp).

Consumers are interested in new sustainable ingredients but are unwilling to accept undesirable sensory properties in their food products. Luffa (Luffa cylindrica) is mainly harvested and processed for its fibrous network, which is used as an exfoliator, while its seeds are usually discarded. However, the seeds have been found to have various nutritional benefits. As such, this study investigated the sensory properties of luffa seed powder added to yogurt and compared it to other seed powder (flax, sunflower, chia, and hemp). Consumers (n = 107) evaluated their liking of the different seeds added to yogurt using hedonic scales and the sensory properties using check-all-that-apply (CATA). The luffa seeds when mixed with yogurt were associated with off-colour, off-flavour, metallic, strong flavour, bitter, salty, earthy and decreased consumer liking. The flax and sunflower seeds were found to be sweet, nutty, cooked, mild flavour, and to have a smooth texture. The overall liking scores for the flax and sunflower seed samples were significantly higher than the luffa and hemp samples. Future studies should investigate different drying and roasting treatments to improve the sensory properties of the luffa seeds.

N1 and LNC reveal the differential electrophysiological signatures of functional and hedonic images processing.

In the process of creative sentence or phrase utilization, novel and appropriate evaluations cause the different brain responses observed in event-related potentials: the N400 reflects the novelty evaluation, whereas a late negative component marks appropriate processing. Do we have similar brain reactions in image perception when we rapidly browse pictures of objects with different novelty, functional/appropriate, and hedonic value? To explore this question, participants were presented with four novel object images with high or low functional and hedonic properties, as well as the ordinary product images, with the instruction to attentively observe and understand each image. We found a clear dissociation between processing of novelty and functional value: novelty objects produced negative deflections in the N2-N400 time window relative to the ordinary object images, whereas images with high functional value elicited a larger N2 and late negative waves (LNC) resembling the late component found for the appropriate phrases. Object images with high hedonic value, however, were associated with earlier aesthetic preference reflected in smaller N1 amplitudes, but failed to elicit a LNC effect. We therefore conclude that the processing of novelty, functional, and hedonic value are dissociation, and the perception of hedonic value is earlier (N1) than the novelty processing (N400) and the verification of functional value (LNC).

Using benefit transfer to estimate housing value increases from improved water clarity: A case study of lakes in Kosciusko County, Indiana.

This study provides step-by-step guidance for practitioners and local stakeholders on how to use existing study results to conduct benefit transfer (BT), and ultimately make informed predictions of how improvements in lake water clarity may benefit surrounding communities. The procedures are demonstrated using a publicly available meta-dataset developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and a subsequent meta-analysis that synthesizes the literature on how improvements in water clarity impact home values. The BT procedures are demonstrated using a case study of 14 large lakes in Kosciusko County, Indiana. Lake-specific average increases in home values, as well as the value of the housing stock in aggregate, are calculated for illustrative improvements in lake water clarity. This analysis provides a critical bridge to better connect high-quality, academic research with real-world policy analysis, and ultimately serves to better equip local governments and stakeholders to make more informed policy and land use decisions.

The influence of the language style of the anchor on consumers' purchase intention.

Remarkably, e-commerce anchors have become one of the hot careers in the new media era. As a link between goods and consumers, anchors affect the willingness of consumers to purchase, which eventually impacts the sales volume of commodities in the live broadcast. Therefore, the language style of anchors is of vital significance. However, local and foreign research rarely investigates the interaction between the language style of anchors and different product types and the influential mechanism on consumers' purchase willingness. In light of the SOR theory's logic and from the viewpoint of consumer perceived value, this research study scrutinizes the interaction between the language styles of different authors (appealing to emotion and appealing to logic) and different types of products (hedonic products and practical products), as well as the effect mechanism on the consumers' willingness to purchase. Using questionnaire surveys and empirical analysis, this paper intends to analyze the inherent correlation between study variables, in order to extend valuable suggestions for enterprise practice.

Self-Concordance Theory and the Goal-Striving Reasons Framework and Their Distinct Relationships With Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being.

Self-concordance theory and the goal-striving reasons framework both measure the quality of people's reasons for their goal pursuits. Both have provided substantial evidence for their predictive power for people's well-being. However, it remains unclear which of the two goal-reason models is the better predictor for different forms of well-being. The paper analyses the distinct relationships of the two models in relation to hedonic well-being (Subjective Well-Being, Life Satisfaction, Affect Balance) and indicators of eudaimonic well-being (Basic Need Satisfaction, Purpose and Self-Acceptance). The findings are based on a cross-sectional, correlative research design based (N = 124). Using multiple regression analyses the results show that the goal-striving reasons framework is overall more strongly associated with hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. However, the differences for hedonic well-being as well as for self-acceptance and purpose are much larger than they are for the three basic needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Here, self-concordance achieves nearly similar correlations to the goal-striving reasons framework. The findings have implications for theory and practice as they highlight the theoretical differences between the two goal-reasons models but also help to decide which Positive Psychology Interventions are most suitable to increase which form of well-being.

Is wine perception influenced by sustainability information? Insights from a consumer experiment with fungus resistant grape and organic wines.

Literature has highlighted that the organic attribute has heuristic value for many consumers, representing an overarching signifier of positive characteristics. Nowadays a plethora of alternative systemic approaches side organic production in the aim to improve the overall sustainability of the agrifood sector. Current study, based on blind and informed tasting, measured sustainability information influence on respondents' (n = 162) perceptions of organic and fungus-resistant grape (FRG) white wines. Findings of the within-subject non hypothetical experiment revealed that information has a stronger, positive impact on participants' perception of organic wine (increasing 13 % monetary preferences) compared to FRG wine (+9%). Additionally, attitudinal characteristics driving consumers' preferences towards FRG wine diverge from organic core motivations.