Representation of perceived sound valence in the human brain

TLDR

Perceived emotional valence of sensory stimuli shapes processing in cortical and subcortical structures, with evidence that negative and positive valences are processed separately rather than along a single linear continuum, and that salience may also increase with both extremes. The study examined brain activation while subjects listened to auditory stimuli parametrically varying in perceived valence from very unpleasant to very pleasant. Seventeen healthy volunteers were scanned at 3 T while listening to International Affective Digital Sounds (IADS‑2) in a block‑design paradigm. A strong quadratic U‑shaped relationship was observed between valence and BOLD signal strength in medial prefrontal cortex, auditory cortex, and amygdala, with weakest signals for neutral stimuli and progressively stronger responses for more unpleasant or pleasant stimuli, supporting valence as a key factor in emotional neural processing. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2295–2305, 2012; © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract Perceived emotional valence of sensory stimuli influences their processing in various cortical and subcortical structures. Recent evidence suggests that negative and positive valences are processed separately, not along a single linear continuum. Here, we examined how brain is activated when subjects are listening to auditory stimuli varying parametrically in perceived valence (very unpleasant–neutral–very pleasant). Seventeen healthy volunteers were scanned in 3 Tesla while listening to International Affective Digital Sounds (IADS‐2) in a block design paradigm. We found a strong quadratic U‐shaped relationship between valence and blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal strength in the medial prefrontal cortex, auditory cortex, and amygdala. Signals were the weakest for neutral stimuli and increased progressively for more unpleasant or pleasant stimuli. The results strengthen the view that valence is a crucial factor in neural processing of emotions. An alternative explanation is salience, which increases with both negative and positive valences. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2295–2305, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.