The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is selective for pain: Results from large-scale reverse inference.

TitleThe dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is selective for pain: Results from large-scale reverse inference.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsLieberman MD, Eisenberger NI
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume112
Issue49
Pagination15250-5
Date Published2015 Dec 8
ISSN1091-6490
KeywordsGyrus Cinguli, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Pain
Abstract

Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) activation is commonly observed in studies of pain, executive control, conflict monitoring, and salience processing, making it difficult to interpret the dACC's specific psychological function. Using Neurosynth, an automated brainmapping database [of over 10,000 functional MRI (fMRI) studies], we performed quantitative reverse inference analyses to explore the best general psychological account of the dACC function P(Ψ process|dACC activity). Results clearly indicated that the best psychological description of dACC function was related to pain processing--not executive, conflict, or salience processing. We conclude by considering that physical pain may be an instance of a broader class of survival-relevant goals monitored by the dACC, in contrast to more arbitrary temporary goals, which may be monitored by the supplementary motor area.

DOI10.1073/pnas.1515083112
Alternate JournalProc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
PubMed ID26582792
PubMed Central IDPMC4679028