Cognitive control articles from across Nature Portfolio

Two fMRI studies (n = 358) show that cognitive regulation of negative emotion alters cortical activity but not amygdala or other subcortical areas. Regulation-related activity overlaps with emotion generation systems but also involves distinct areas.

The extent of cerebellar contributions to non-motor learning remains unclear. Here, authors identify a cortico-cerebellar circuit in primates that plays a causal role in reinforcement-based learning of visuomotor associations.

The spatiotemporal dynamics of the brain have an essential role in how we perceive, decide and behave. Interacting spiral waves are now seen, from functional magnetic resonance imaging brain recordings, to serve as a mechanism for organizing spatiotemporal activity across the whole cortex. Further, these waves enable flexible reconfiguration of task-driven brain activity.

Craving is a core characteristic of drug addiction and eating disorders. A new study identifies an fMRI-based neural signature of craving that is common to both food and drugs, predicts self-reported craving, distinguishes drug users from non-users, and tracks the efficacy of a cognitive therapy technique to reduce craving.