Fig. 5: Smokers show unusual ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and midbrain activity while computing forward projected choice values and norm prediction errors, respectively.
From: Aberrant neural computation of social controllability in nicotine-dependent humans
a vmPFC ROI coefficient [−2, 50, −2] was selected from an independent study23 and extracted from an 8-mm radius sphere for estimated choice values from the 2-step forward thinking model in the controllable condition of the task (PFDR < 0.05, k > 50). b vmPFC coefficients were significantly greater for non-smokers (0.347 ± 1.05) compared to smokers (−0.749 ± 2.00; t(40) = −2.31, p = 0.013; Cohen’s d = 0.69). Error bars indicate SEM. c One-way between-subject ANOVA test for the whole-brain map further revealed that BOLD responses in the vmPFC is greater for non-smokers compared to smokers (PFDR < 0.05 and k > 50). d The midbrain ROI coefficient [−4, −26, −11], covering the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), were selected from an independent study27 and extracted for norm prediction errors from the 2-step forward thinking model in the controllable condition of the task. e SN/VTA coefficients were significantly greater for non-smokers (0.302 ± 1.10) compared to smokers (−0.306 ± 1.04; t(40) = −1.80, p = 0.040; Cohen’s d = 0.57). Error bars indicate SEM. f One-way between-subject ANOVA test for the whole-brain map further revealed that neural responses to norm prediction errors in the midbrain was greater for non-smokers compared to smokers (PFDR < 0.05 and k > 50). For figure source data refer to (Supplementary Data 1).
