Cannabis use continues to increase globally, with a growing proportion of users exhibiting problematic patterns of use. Although neural differences in reward and inhibitory control systems are commonly reported in individuals who use cannabis relative to individuals not reporting cannabis use, findings using behavioural tasks are inconsistent. This is possibly due to lack of differentiation between regular and more problematic patterns of use. This study investigated whether inhibitory control performance and associated prefrontal and orbitofrontal activation differed across CUDIT-R-stratified levels of CUD risk. Participants (N = 81) were divided into three groups based on CUDIT-R scores: 30 high-CUD-risk individuals who use cannabis (≥ 12), 21 low-CUD-risk individuals who use cannabis (< 8), and 30 individuals not reporting cannabis use. Individuals with a current substance use disorder, including cannabis use disorder, were excluded from participation. All completed a cannabis-cue specific Stop-Signal Task (SST) while functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure oxygenated (oxyHb) and deoxygenated haemoglobin (deoxyHb) concentrations in the prefrontal cortices. Behavioural performance and neural activation were compared across groups. No significant behavioural or neural differences were found between the groups. The study found no evidence of impaired inhibitory control or differential prefrontal activation across CUDIT-R-stratified levels of CUD risk. The results suggest incorporating further diagnostic stratification, multimodal imaging, and ecologically valid methods in future research to better characterise cannabis-related neural adaptations and inform clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Impulsivity, anxiety and depression are factors that have previously been associated with the use of various drugs of abuse that have been investigated in isolation. However, little is known about the influence of these variables on the number of different substances tried at least once over a lifetime (i.e. polysubstance use). OBJECTIVES:We aimed to assess how facets of trait impulsivity, anxiety and depression pose as risk factors for lifetime polysubstance use. METHODS:Adult recreational drugs users (N = 700) completed an online survey, reporting each of the psychoactive substances they have consumed at least once. They further completed the Urgency/Premeditation/Perseverance/Sensation-seeking- Positive Urgency scale (UPPS-P) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS). RESULTS:Negative-Binomial Regressions found that females (Incidence Rates Ratios = 0.79, p < .001) reported a lower total number of drugs used. After controlling for age and sex, the UPPS-P subscales Lack of Premeditation (IRR = 1.02, p < .001), Negative Urgency (IRR = 1.02, p = .001) and Sensation seeking (IRR = 1.01, p = .008) were positively associated with a greater number of different substances used. CONCLUSIONS:Exploring risk factors for polysubstance use may provide a better understanding of the factors which confer a vulnerability towards problematic / harmful substance use. .

OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to develop a measure of eating behaviors in adults living with obesity or overweight. METHODS:Based on concept-elicitation (n = 53) and cognitive-debriefing (n = 15) studies, a draft eating behavior patient-reported outcome (EB PRO) measure was developed. Its psychometric properties were established using data from a 46-week clinical trial of an investigational antiobesity medication (n = 387). RESULTS:The final EB PRO comprised 12 items across two domains (i.e., "Desire to Eat" and "Capacity to Resist"; 6 items each) and a Total Eating Behavior score (0-48; higher scores worse). The EB PRO demonstrated good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.7). Confirmatory factor analysis showed a comparative fit index of 0.98 with good internal consistency (Cronbach α > 0.7). The EB PRO generally exhibited moderate-to-large correlations with the Patient Global Impression of Severity questionnaire and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and weaker correlation with the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 Physical Functioning scale. All EB PRO scores improved from baseline to week 46 (p < 0.0001), demonstrating sensitivity to change with therapy. Clinically meaningful thresholds were defined as eight- and four-point changes in Total Eating Behavior and domain scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The EB PRO measure is a promising tool for assessing eating behaviors in people with obesity or overweight.

BACKGROUND:Previous research has demonstrated the perceived value of alcohol is transient in hypothetical social and environmental contexts. This study sought to further expand on this by examining whether the social influence of a confederate and the physical environment could be manipulated to influence the value of alcohol and ad libitum alcohol consumption, and thus provide support for the role of value as a mechanism underlying alcohol use. METHOD:A total of 140 (90 female, Mean age = 25.81, SD = 14.20, Mean AUDIT = 11.51, SD = 5.38) participants completed a between-subjects 2 (environment: bar labortaory vs. standard unadorned) × 2 (social influence: positive appraisal vs. negative appraisal) design in which they completed a brief assessment of alcohol demand, a concurrent choice task, and a visual analogue scale measuring alcohol value, following a limited drinking session with a confederate in one of two laboratory settings, and then completed an ad libitum bogus taste test. RESULTS:Social influence had a significant effect on intensity index of demand (F (1,133) = 4.74, p = 0.031, ηp2 = 0.03) and on ad libitum consumption (F (1,135) = 7.60, p = 0.007, ηp2 = 0.05) with positive appraisal having greater intensity scores (Mean = 4.34, SD = 2.80) compared with the negative appraisal (Mean = 3.39, SD = 2.23) and more alcohol consumed (Mean = 221.07 mL, SD = 121.76 vs. Mean = 164.71 mL, SD = 111.80). The intensity index also mediated the relationship between social influence and ad libitum consumption (B = 10.40, 95% Bootstrapped CIs = 0.34 to 23.59). There were no significant main effects of environment and no interactions between social influence and environment. CONCLUSION:These findings suggest alcohol value is sensitive to social influence. Increased value as a result of positive alcohol appraisals by others had a significant effect on ad libitum consumption and that the intensity index of demand mediated the relationship.

AIMS:There is growing evidence that the GLP-1 system is implicated in alcohol and other substance use disorders, and that GLP-1-based therapies may have therapeutic relevance in alcohol use disorder (AUD). We aimed to determine the impact of GLP-1 based therapies on incident AUDs in a real-world setting in patients with T2D. MATERIAL AND METHODS:We conducted emulation target trials based on a real-world network of electronic health records (EHRs) from over 120 million patients in the United States of America. Four target trials were emulated among eligible patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who had no prior AUD diagnosis by comparing tirzepatide, semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide with DPP4 inhibitors (DPP4i). First-ever diagnosis of AUD occurred within an 18-month follow-up period and was examined using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Four target trial cohorts were generated and compared with a reference arm of patients treated with DPP4i: cohort (1) treatment with tirzepatide; cohort (2) treatment with semaglutide; cohort (3) treatment with liraglutide; and cohort (4) treatment with dulaglutide. Cohorts underwent propensity score matching 1:1 for confounders. We examined rates of incident AUD (ICD-10 code F10) and performed head-to-head analyses of the incretin-based therapies. We also performed sensitivity analyses relating to whether treatment was adjunctive therapy with metformin and by treatment adherence. RESULTS:After propensity-score matching, we identified four target trials of patients treated with tirzepatide (n = 7165), semaglutide (n = 20 198), liraglutide (n = 6565), and dulaglutide (n = 19 061); 1:1 with the reference (DPP4i) patients. Tirzepatide and semaglutide (but not liraglutide or dulaglutide) were associated with significant risk reduction of incident AUD compared to DPP4i (hazard ratio 0.47 [95% confidence interval 0.29, 0.75] and 0.68 [0.52, 0.89], respectively). Head-to-head comparison revealed tirzepatide had a significant risk reduction compared to liraglutide in incident AUD (0.47 [0.24, 0.92]). CONCLUSION:In patients with T2D, tirzepatide and semaglutide treatment is associated with a lower incidence of AUD; robust randomised, controlled evidence for the use of these drugs for this novel indication is appropriate.

Background: Impaired inhibitory control has been observed in regular cannabis users. Theories suggest that regular cannabis use is maintained by reward-driven behaviour, which may be underpinned by adaptations in neural reward and inhibitory control systems, thus increasing vulnerability to dependency.Aims: This study investigated neural correlates of cannabis cue-specific inhibitory control in regular cannabis users and non-users using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods: Thirty regular cannabis users and thirty non-user controls completed two inhibitory control tasks (Go/No/Go and Stop-Signal Task), and a measure of attentional bias (Cannabis Stroop task). fNIRS recorded prefrontal and orbitofrontal haemodynamic responses (oxygenated haemoglobin and deoxygenated haemoglobin). Group comparisons and exploratory regressions examined cannabis use characteristics as predictors of behavioural and neural outcomes.Results: No significant group differences were found in behavioural performance or haemodynamic activity across tasks. Exploratory regressions showed no significant associations between cannabis use characteristics and behavioural or neural outcomes after adjusting for covariates.Conclusions: No evidence of impaired inhibitory control, attentional bias, or differences in prefrontal function were found in non-dependent cannabis users. Future studies should investigate whether such deficits emerge with heavier or dependent use.

Itch is a commonly experienced symptom of skin diseases such as eczema. Topical corticosteroid medications are widely used in chronic itch conditions but can lead to skin thinning, and in certain cases, topical corticosteroid withdrawal. As such, non-pharmaceutical alternatives are being researched. The present research explored affective touch (slow stroking, gentle touch signalled by C-tactile afferents) as a strategy to reduce histamine induced itch. Whilst experiencing histamine induced itch on the volar side of the forearms/wrist, participants (n = 60) were subjected to 3 experimental conditions of modulatory somatosensation applied to the volar aspect of the same forearm relative to the site of itch induction (18 trials of each); 1) affective touch (stroking the forearm with a soft brush at 3 cm/s), 2) non-affective touch (stroking the forearm with a soft brush at 18 cm/s) and 3) active control (static brush tapping on the forearm at 1Hz). Participants were asked to rate the severity of itch, and pleasantness of touch, after each trial. We also investigated whether changes in itch severity scores during the affective touch condition were moderated by individual differences in somatosensory experiences and attitudes as measured on the Touch Experiences and Attitudes Questionnaire (TEAQ), and the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ). A linear mixed effects model indicated a main effect of condition on itch severity, whereby affective touch significantly reduced itch severity compared to non-affective touch (p < .001) and active control (p < .001). The TEAQ and PVAQ scores did not correlate significantly with itch scores in the affective touch condition. These results suggest that affective touch has a relieving effect on histamine-induced itch. Our findings lend further credibility to the idea that affective touch might be able to serve as an effective non-pharmaceutical treatment of itch conditions complementing established approaches.

Rationale: Cannabis use continues to increase globally, with a growing proportion of users meeting criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD). Although neural differences in reward and inhibitory control systems are commonly reported in cannabis users compared to non-users, findings using behavioural tasks are inconsistent. This is possibly due to lack of differentiation between regular and more problematic users. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether inhibitory control performance and associated prefrontal and orbitofrontal activation differed between cannabis users stratified by CUDIT-R score and non-user controls. Methods: Participants (N = 81) were divided into three groups based on CUDIT-R scores; 30 high-CUD-risk (≥12) and 21 low-CUD-risk (<8) cannabis users, and 30 non-user controls. All completed a cannabis-cue specific Stop-Signal Task (SST) while functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure oxygenated (oxyHb) and deoxygenated haemoglobin (deoxyHb) concentrations in the prefrontal cortices. Behavioural performance and neural activation were compared across groups. Results: No significant behavioural or neural differences were found between the groups. Conclusions: The study found no evidence of impaired inhibitory control or differential prefrontal activation in cannabis users stratified by CUDIT-R scores. The results suggest incorporating further diagnostic stratification, multimodal imaging, and ecologically valid methods in future research to better characterise cannabis-related neural adaptations and inform clinical practice.

Objective: To expand on the application of value-based decision-making models to alcohol-use, we investigated if manipulating the cognitive effort required to obtain alcohol could alter the subjective value of alcohol as well as ad-libitum alcohol consumption.Method: Thirty-five (29 female) drinkers (mean age = 18.28, SD = 1.54, mean AUDIT score = 13.40, SD = 5.65) completed two sessions, one involving a low effort and the other a high-effort mathematical task, in which they were told their performance would win them alcohol. They also completed the Brief Assessment of Alcohol Demand and a Concurrent Choice Task. Following each session participants were given ad-libitum access to alcohol. Results: The amount of alcohol consumed was greater in the high effort compared to low effort condition (Z=3.05, p =.002, r=0.72), but there were no significant effects found on the Concurrent Choice Task or the Brief Assessment of Alcohol Demand.Conclusion: As manipulating effort did alter consumption but not the value of alcohol, it is possible that the increased consumption is due to different underlying mechanism(s). It is also possible that effort is not a heavily weighted or important value input and future research should seek to identify the contributions of these inputs.

Objectives Occupational moral injury and post-traumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) describe the psychological distress caused by exposure to injustice at work. This meta-analysis aims to determine the prevalence of occupational moral injury and PTED and establish whether prevalence estimates differ depending on occupation.Design A systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources Google Scholar, PubMed, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Sage Journals Online were searched in June 2020 and updated in November 2022.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Observational studies that measured prevalence or average scores of moral injury, or PTED in any occupational group and any geographical location.Data extraction and synthesis Two independent reviewers screened and coded eligible studies. Study design, participant demographics, sampling method, location, measurement tool and prevalence or average scores were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment Checklist for Prevalence Studies tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models. Results that could not be combined were summarised qualitatively in a narrative synthesis using the Guidance for Systematic Reviews.Results In total, 88 studies across armed forces and veterans, healthcare, first responders, educators, journalists, child protection service employees, the unemployed, public-sector employees and mixed occupations were included. Studies included in each separate meta-analysis based on the measure used ranged from 2 to 30. The pooled prevalence of clinically relevant moral injury in healthcare professionals was 45%, and exposure to any potentially morally injurious event (PMIE) across occupations was 67%. Exposure to transgressions by others and betrayal was significantly lower in the armed forces than civilian occupations. Pooled prevalence of PTED across occupations was 26%.Conclusion Exposure to PMIEs, moral injury symptoms and PTED are prevalent at work and exposure to transgressions by others and betrayal are more likely in civilian occupations than the armed forces.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020191766.

Background: Males and females who consume cannabis can experience different mental health and cognitive problems. Neuroscientific theories of addiction postulate that dependence is underscored by neuroadaptations, but do not account for the contribution of distinct sexes. Further, there is little evidence for sex differences in the neurobiology of cannabis dependence as most neuroimaging studies have been conducted in largely male samples in which cannabis dependence, as opposed to use, is often not ascertained. Methods: We examined subregional hippocampus and amygdala volumetry in a sample of 206 people recruited from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group. They included 59 people with cannabis dependence (17 females), 49 cannabis users without cannabis dependence (20 females), and 98 controls (33 females). Results: We found no group-by-sex effect on subregional volumetry. The left hippocampal cornu ammonis subfield 1 (CA1) volumes were lower in dependent cannabis users compared with non-dependent cannabis users (p<0.001, d=0.32) and with controls (p=0.022, d=0.18). Further, the left cornu ammonis subfield 3 (CA3) and left dentate gyrus volumes were lower in dependent versus non-dependent cannabis users but not versus controls (p=0.002, d=0.37, and p=0.002, d=0.31, respectively). All models controlled for age, intelligence quotient (IQ), alcohol and tobacco use, and intracranial volume. Amygdala volumetry was not affected by group or group-by-sex, but was smaller in females than males. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the relationship between cannabis dependence and subregional volumetry was not moderated by sex. Specifically, dependent (rather than non-dependent) cannabis use may be associated with alterations in selected hippocampus subfields high in cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors and implicated in addictive behavior. As these data are cross-sectional, it is plausible that differences predate cannabis dependence onset and contribute to the initiation of cannabis dependence. Longitudinal neuroimaging work is required to examine the time-course of the onset of subregional hippocampal alterations in cannabis dependence, and their progression as cannabis dependence exacerbates or recovers over time.

Previous research investigated cross-modal influence of olfactory stimuli on perception and evaluation of faces. However, little is known about the neural dynamics underpinning this multisensory perception, and no research examined perception for images of oneself, and others, in presence of fragrances. This study investigated the neural mechanisms of olfactory-visual processing using electroencephalography (EEG) and subjective evaluations of self- and other-images.22 female participants evaluated images of female actors and themselves while being exposed to the fragrance of a commercially available body wash or clean air delivered via olfactometer. Participants rated faces for attractiveness, femininity, confidence and glamorousness on visual analogue scales. EEG data was recorded and event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with onset of face stimuli were analysed to consider effects of fragrance presence on face processing, and interactions between fragrance and self-other image-type.Subjective ratings of confidence, attractiveness and femininity were increased for both image-types in pleasant fragrance relative to clean air condition. ERP components covering early-to-late stages of face processing were modulated by the presence of fragrance. Findings also revealed a cross-modal fragrance-face interaction, with pleasant fragrance particularly affecting ERPs to self-images in mid-latency ERP components.Resultsshowed that the pleasant fragrance of the commercially available body wash impacted how participants perceived faces of self and others. Self- and other-image faces were subjectively rated as more attractive, confident and feminine in the presence of the pleasant fragrance compared to an un-fragranced control. The pleasant fragrance also modulated underlying electrophysiological activity. For the first time, an effect of pleasant fragrance on face perception was observed in the N1 component, suggesting impact within 100 ms. Pleasant fragrance also demonstrated greater impact on subsequent neural processing for self, relative to other-faces. The findings have implications for understanding multisensory integration during evaluations of oneself and others.

BackgroundThe Cannabis Eating Experience Questionnaire (CEEQ) was developed and validated with a two-factor structure for the assessment of cannabis effects on both the appetitive factors that initiate eating and the hedonic factors that maintain an eating episode. The relationship between the CEEQ and cannabis use motives has not yet been considered. The study aimed to confirm the two-factor structure of the CEEQ and explore associations with the five-factor Marijuana Motives Questionnaire (MMQ).MethodCannabis users (N = 546) completed the CEEQ alongside the MMQ in an online survey.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the two-factor structure of the CEEQ and the five-factor structure of the MMQ. Structural equation modeling (SEM) tested associations between each factor of the CEEQ and cannabis use motives. Cannabis use motives of "enhancement" and "conformity" were both positively associated with "hedonic" and "appetitive" subscales of the CEEQ, and "coping" was associated with increased "appetitive" scores. The "social" cannabis use motive was negatively associated with both "hedonic" and "appetitive" subscales on CEEQ, and "expansion" was negatively associated with the "appetitive" subscale.ConclusionWe provide further support for the construct validity of the CEEQ that provides a useful assessment of cannabis effects on hedonic and appetitive aspects of eating and show for the first time that cannabis use motives influence eating experiences in distinct ways. Further understanding of the relationship between cannabis use motives and the effects of cannabis on appetite may prove a useful for informing therapeutic applications of cannabis stimulating appetite or promoting weight gain.

Food marketing impacts the food behaviors of children and adults, but the underpinning neural mechanisms are poorly understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled evidence from neuroimaging studies of exposure to food marketing stimuli (vs. control) on brain activations in children and adults to clarify regions associated with responding. Databases were searched for articles published to March 2022. Inclusion criteria included human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies employing a contrast between a food marketing stimulus and a non-food/non-exposure control, published in English in a peer-reviewed journal, reporting whole brain (not Region of Interest [ROI] only) co-ordinates. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria, of which eight were included in the quantitative synthesis (Activation Likelihood Estimation [ALE] meta-analysis). Food marketing exposures (vs. controls) produced greater activation in two clusters lying across the middle occipital gyrus, lingual gyrus, and cuneus (cluster 1), and the postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus, and the inferior parietal lobule/supramarginal gyrus (cluster 2). Brain responses to food marketing are most consistently observed in areas relating to visual processing, attention, sensorimotor activity, and emotional processing. Subgroup analyses (e.g., adults vs. children) were not possible because of the paucity of data, and sensitivity analyses highlighted some instability in the clusters; therefore, conclusions remain tentative pending further research.

Background: Prior research suggests naturalistic single-trial appetitive conditioning may be a potent phenomenon in humans, capable of modulating both motivation and attention. In this study, we aimed to characterise the neural correlates of this phenomenon using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) paradigms Methods: Twenty-three healthy adults (12 males) underwent conditioning during which they ate a novel 3D object made from white chocolate (CS+) and handled a similar object made from plastic (CS-). Brain activity was recorded before and after conditioning during a passive viewing paradigm Results: A naturalistic CS+ was rated as more highly craved, better-liked and elicited greater expectancies for chocolate than the CS- after conditioning. An exploration of the interaction between time (pre- and postconditioning) and CS type (CS+, CS-) during the passive viewing task suggested enhanced activation from pre- to post-conditioning in the right superior frontal gyrus (R.SFG) in response to the CS-. Conclusion: Results reveal neural correlates of single-trial appetitive conditioning and highlight a possible role of response inhibition during learning about non-rewards, perhaps optimizing motivated behaviour. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neural mechanisms underpinning rapid reward and non-reward learning, and may inform development of behavioural interventions for reward-driven overeating.

This study assessed the impact of dapagliflozin on food intake, eating behaviour, energy expenditure, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐determined brain response to food cues and body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

Introduction: Cannabis use has a high prevalence in young youth and is associated with poor psychosocial outcomes. Such outcomes have been ascribed to the impact of cannabis exposure on the developing brain. However, findings from individual studies of volumetry in youth cannabis users are equivocal. Objectives: Our primary objective was to systematically review the evidence on brain volume differences between young cannabis users and nonusers aged 12-26 where profound neuromaturation occurs, accounting for the role of global brain volumes (GBVs). Our secondary objective was to systematically integrate the findings on the association between youth age and volumetry in youth cannabis users. Finally, we aimed to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was run in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO) and was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We run meta-analyses (with and without controlling for GBV) of brain volume differences between young cannabis users and nonusers. We conducted metaregressions to explore the role of age on volumetric differences. Results: Sixteen studies were included. The reviewed samples included 830 people with mean age 22.5 years (range 14-26 years). Of these, 386 were cannabis users (with cannabis use onset at 15-19 years) and 444 were controls. We found no detectable group differences in any of the GBVs (intracranium, total brain, total white matter, and total gray matter) and regional brain volumes (i.e., hippocampus, amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, and total cerebellum). Age and cannabis use level did not predict (standardized mean) volume group differences in metaregression. We found little evidence of publication bias (Egger's test p>0.1). Conclusions: Contrary to evidence in adult samples (or in samples mixing adults and youth), previous single studies in young cannabis users, and meta-analyses of brain function in young cannabis users, this early evidence suggests nonsignificant volume differences between young cannabis users and nonusers. While prolonged and long-term exposure to heavy cannabis use may be required to detect gross volume alterations, more studies in young cannabis users are needed to map in detail cannabis-related neuroanatomical changes.

Dietary temptations and lapses challenge control over eating and act as barriers toward successful weight loss. These are difficult to assess in laboratory settings or with retrospective measures as they occur momentarily and driven by the current environment. A better understanding of how these experiences unfold within real-world dieting attempts could help inform strategies to increase the capacity to cope with the changes in appetitive and affective factors that surround these experiences. We performed a narrative synthesis on the empirical evidence of appetitive and affective outcomes measured using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) during dieting in individuals with obesity and their association with dietary temptations and lapses. A search of three databases (Scopus, Medline, and PsycInfo) identified 10 studies. Within-person changes in appetite and affect accompany temptations and lapses and are observable in the moments precipitating a lapse. Lapsing in response to these may be mediated through the strength of a temptation. Negative abstinence-violation effects occur following a lapse, which negatively impact self-attitudes. Engagement in coping strategies during temptations is effective for preventing lapses. These findings indicate that monitoring changes in sensations during dieting could help identify the crucial moments when coping strategies are most effective for aiding with dietary adherence.

Forming and comparing subjective values (SVs) of choice options is a critical stage of decision-making. Previous studies have highlighted a complex network of brain regions involved in this process by utilising a diverse range of tasks and stimuli, varying in economic, hedonic and sensory qualities. However, the heterogeneity of tasks and sensory modalities may systematically confound the set of regions mediating the SVs of goods. To identify and delineate the core brain valuation system involved in processing SV, we utilised the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) auction, an incentivised demand-revealing mechanism which quantifies SV through the economic metric of willingness-to-pay (WTP). A coordinate-based activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis analysed twenty-four fMRI studies employing a BDM task (731 participants; 190 foci). Using an additional contrast analysis, we also investigated whether this encoding of SV would be invariant to the concurrency of auction task and fMRI recordings. A fail-safe number analysis was conducted to explore potential publication bias. WTP positively correlated with fMRI-BOLD activations in the left ventromedial prefrontal cortex with a sub-cluster extending into anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral ventral striatum, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right inferior frontal gyrus, and right anterior insula. Contrast analysis identified preferential engagement of the mentalizing-related structures in response to concurrent scanning. Together, our findings offer succinct empirical support for the core structures participating in the formation of SV, separate from the hedonic aspects of reward and evaluated in terms of WTP using BDM, and show the selective involvement of inhibition-related brain structures during active valuation.