Wanting this, not that: The neural circuit that turns specific expectations into actions

Joey A. Charbonneau; Erin L. Rich

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3003859

Wanting this, not that: The neural circuit that turns specific expectations into actions

Joey A. Charbonneau
, Erin L. Rich

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Neuroeconomics has long focused on reward values, ignoring their identity. A new PLOS Biology study shows that identityspecific reward expectations in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex steer goal-directed choices through a motivational circuit involving the nucleus accumbens.

Original language	English
Article number	e3003859
Journal	PLOS Biology
Volume	24
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3003859
State	Published - 10 Jul 2026
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Wanting this, not that: The neural circuit that turns specific expectations into actions",

abstract = "Neuroeconomics has long focused on reward values, ignoring their identity. A new PLOS Biology study shows that identityspecific reward expectations in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex steer goal-directed choices through a motivational circuit involving the nucleus accumbens.",

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Wanting this, not that: The neural circuit that turns specific expectations into actions

Abstract

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