Motivational control is implemented by a cingulo-prefrontal pathway

Abstract

The neuronal connections between the midcingulate cortex (MCC) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) are associated with multiple cognitive functions, including rapid and long-term adaptive processes. Here we show that DREADD-mediated activation of MCC to dlPFC projection in macaques led to increased engagement in a foraging task, but did not alter their trial-to-trial adaptive strategy. We conclude that a critical role for MCC-dlPFC pathway is in the temporally extended control of behaviour rather than in rapid adaptation.