Identification and localization of an insight-related reward signal using EEG

Yongtaek Oh

doi:10.17918/00000983

When individuals experience insight, where a solution to the problem suddenly emerges into conscious awareness as an "Aha!," a rush of positive emotion often occurs. Previous studies of insight suggested the presence of insight-related subcortical activity in brain regions that process emotion and reward, but the temporal and oscillatory dynamics of this phenomenon remain unclear. In this study, the hypothesis that insight during problem-solving is accompanied by neural reward processing was tested. High-density EEGs were recorded while participants solved a series of anagrams. Time-frequency representations of the EEGs were contrasted between trials solved with insight (I) and analytic (A) strategies. Then tests for significant differences were performed at different dimensions of the EEG data. This showed the time, frequency, and scalp locations of several I>A effects. No A>I effect was observed. The primary neural correlate of insight was a burst of gamma-band oscillatory activity over prefrontal cortex approximately 500 milliseconds before participants executed a button-press to indicate that they had solved the problem. In addition, dispositional reward sensitivity measures were correlated with the I-A time-frequency representations to determine whether any insight-related effect was modulated by reward sensitivity. This revealed a separate anterior prefrontal burst of gamma-band activity approximately 100 milliseconds after the primary I-A insight effect, which is suggestive of an insight-related reward signal. To interpret the functional significance of these activations, source reconstruction was performed to model the anatomical sources. Using the Multiple Sparse Priors (MSP) algorithm, it was revealed that the insight-related reward signal was generated in part by orbitofrontal cortex, a region associated with reward learning and the subjective experience of hedonically pleasurable experiences such as food, positive social experiences, addictive drugs, and orgasm. These findings support the notion that insight is rewarding and may explain why many people choose to engage in recreational and vocational activities that yield insights, such as solving puzzles, mysteries, or doing research.

Identification and localization of an insight-related reward signal using EEG

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Identification and localization of an insight-related reward signal using EEG

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