We explored how reward and value of effort shapes performance in a sustained vigilance, reaction time (RT) task. It was posited that reward and value would hasten RTs and increase cognitive effort by boosting activation in the sensorimotor cortex and inhibition in the frontal cortex, similar to the horse-race model of motor actions. Participants performed a series of speeded responses while expecting differing monetary rewards (0 pence (p), 1 p, and 10 p) if they responded faster than their median RT. Amplitudes of cortical alpha, beta, and theta oscillations were analysed using the event-related desynchronization method. In experiment 1 (N = 29, with 12 females), reward was consistent within block, while in experiment 2 (N = 17, with 12 females), reward amount was displayed before each trial. Each experiment evaluated the baseline amplitude of cortical oscillations differently. The value of effort was evaluated using a cognitive effort discounting task (COGED). In both experiments, RTs decreased significantly with higher rewards. Reward level sharpened the increased amplitudes of beta oscillations during fast responses in experiment 1. In experiment 2, reward decreased the amplitudes of beta oscillations in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex. Individual effort values did not significantly correlate with oscillatory changes in either experiment. Results suggest that reward level and response speed interacted with the task- and baseline-dependent patterns of cortical inhibition in the frontal cortex and with activation in the sensorimotor cortex during the period of motor preparation in a sustained vigilance task. However, neither the shortening of RT with increasing reward nor the value of effort correlated with oscillatory changes. This implies that amplitudes of cortical oscillations may shape upcoming motor responses but do not translate higher-order motivational factors into motor performance.

我们探索了奖励和努力价值如何在持续的警惕，反应时间（RT）任务中影响绩效。有人认为，奖励和价值将通过促进感觉运动皮层的激活和额叶皮层的抑制来加速逆转录反应并增加认知努力，这与运动行为的马赛模型相似。如果参与者的反应速度比其RT中位数快，则他们会进行一系列的快速反应，同时期望获得不同的金钱奖励（0便士（p），1 p和10 p）。使用事件相关的去同步方法分析了皮质α，β和θ振荡的幅度。在实验1（N  = 29，有12位女性）中，奖励在区块内是一致的，而在实验2（N = 17，其中有12位女性），每次尝试前都会显示奖励金额。每个实验都以不同的方式评估皮质振荡的基线幅度。使用认知努力折减任务（COGED）评估了努力的价值。在两个实验中，RT都随着奖励的增加而显着下降。奖励水平在实验1的快速响应过程中锐化了β振荡的幅度增加。在实验2中，奖励降低了同侧感觉运动皮层的β振荡的幅度。在两个实验中，个体的努力值均与振荡变化没有显着相关。结果表明，在持续的警惕任务中，奖励水平和响应速度与额叶皮质中任务的抑制和基线相关的皮质抑制模式以及感觉运动皮层的激活相互作用。然而，既不随着奖励的增加而缩短RT，也不与努力的价值相关联。这意味着皮质振荡的幅度可能会影响即将来临的运动反应，但不会将高阶动机因素转化为运动表现。