Beta oscillations and reward processing: Coupling oscillatory activity and hemodynamic responses

Diverse cortical and subcortical regions are synergically engaged during reward processing. Previous studies using time–frequency decomposition of Electroencephalography (EEG) data have revealed an increase of mid-frontal beta oscillatory activity (BOA) after reward delivery, which could be a potential mechanism in the coordination of the different areas engaged during reward processing. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, twenty subjects performed a monetary gambling paradigm in two separate sessions (EEG and fMRI). Time–frequency oscillatory EEG data and fMRI activity were fused using Joint Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The present results showed that mid-frontal BOA elicited by monetary gains is associated with the engagement of a fronto–striatal–hippocampal network previously involved in reward-related memory enhancement, supporting the role of this activity during reward processing. •Beta oscillatory activity (BOA) is evoked following positive feedback.•We studied the coupling between BOA and fMRI activity in a gambling paradigm.•We show that BOA is related to the engagement of a fronto–striatal–hippocampal network.•We suggest that BOA might mediate the coordination of reward and memory networks.