Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Neuroscience

Supervisor

Seminowicz, Dave A.

Abstract

Recent theoretical frameworks propose that adaptive control — the process by which

individuals evaluate choices under uncertainty and voluntarily adjust behaviour to

minimize potential harm and error — underpins anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC)

engagement across emotion, cognition and pain. However, empirical evidence remains

limited.

Using data from 23 healthy adults who underwent functional Magnetic Resonance

Imaging (fMRI) while performing tasks probing negative affect, cognitive control and

somatic pain, the present study tests aMCC activations and task-based connectivity

patterns against specific predictions derived from the adaptive control hypothesis.

Activation and connectivity analyses consistently supported adaptive control as an

account of aMCC function. Cross-fitted three-layer dynamic causal modelling (DCM)

revealed forward information flow from domain-specific inputs to the aMCC and higher-

order regions in selected models for all tasks.

These findings provide converging evidence for adaptive control as a unifying

mechanism underlying aMCC engagement across emotion, cognition and pain,

underscoring the value of network-level approaches in elucidating domain-general brain

functions.

Summary for Lay Audience

How does the brain help us adapt to emotional distress, cognitive challenges and pain?

When facing difficult situations, whether managing emotions, solving complex problems

or avoiding harm, the brain must assess the situation and adjust responses to protect well-

being. Previous research hypothesized that a brain region called the anterior midcingulate

cortex (aMCC) plays a central role in this process, known as adaptive control — the

ability to modify behaviour based on potential outcomes to minimize harm and errors.

However, direct experimental evidence remains limited.

To better understand whether adaptive control occurs in the aMCC when people feel

negative emotions, tackle cognitive challenges, or experience physical pain, we analyzed

brain activity from 23 healthy adults as they performed tasks designed to trigger these

experiences. These activities were recorded using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),

providing a real-time neural activity proxy.

Overall, our results support the role of the aMCC in adaptive control during negative

emotions, cognition, and pain. First, the aMCC is consistently engaged across all three

experiences. Second, the aMCC “communicates” more strongly with brain regions

involved in emotion, cognition, and pain during tasks designed to elicit these experiences

than during other tasks. This suggests that the aMCC dynamically adapts based on

situational demands. Additionally, we tested models to examine the flow directions of

brain activity during different tasks. The results revealed a consistent pattern: when a task

begins, neural activity flows from task-specific brain regions related to emotion,

cognition, or pain, depending on the task, to the aMCC and finally to higher-order brain

areas responsible for decision-making and behavioural adjustments. Notably, this flow

primarily moves in one direction, with information less likely to travel in reverse.

These findings provide new insights into how the brain dynamically regulates behaviours

across different contexts. Understanding the role of adaptive control in aMCC may have

important implications for mental health and pain research, particularly in conditions

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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