Domain-general neural effects of associative learning and expectations on pain and hedonic taste perception.

ABSTRACT: Predictive cues significantly influence perception through associative learning. However, it is unknown whether circuits are conserved across domains. We investigated how associative learning influences perceived intensity and valence of pain and hedonic taste and whether the mechanisms that support expectancy-based modulation vary as a function of aversiveness and modality. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to receive either painful heat, unpleasant liquid saline, or pleasant liquid sucrose during fMRI scanning. Following conditioning, cues that were initially associated with low or high intensity outcomes were intermittently followed by stimuli calibrated to elicit medium intensity ratings. Learned cues modulated expectations and subjective outcomes similarly across domains. Cons

SUBMITTER: Zhao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12190406 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature