Human neuroimaging research suggests the existence of one core network for the subjective valuation of rewards, including the striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. However, there is little research on the neural representation of subjective reward values of visual sexual stimuli (VSS) and on the role of these subjective valuations in the development of related addictive behaviors. Here, we investigate how neural reactivity to VSS is connected to individual preference using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During the fMRI scan, 72 men viewed different VSS film clips. Ratings regarding valence and sexual arousal were collected and used as parametric modulators in the fMRI analysis. Subjects also filled out questionnaires on self-reported symptoms of problematic pornography use (PPU). Firstly, we found that neural reactivity towards VSS clips in the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus and orbitofrontal cortex was positively correlated with individual ratings of the respective VSS in all subjects. Second, the strength of the association between neural activity and sexual arousal ratings was positively correlated with self-reported symptoms of PPU. The first result suggests a precise appraisal of VSS according to individual preferences in established reward valuation regions. Secondly, stronger neural differentiation based on preference in participants with more PPU symptoms indicates an increased importance of VSS/preference fit in these individuals. This heightened correspondence between individual liking and neural activity may facilitate PPU development by increased signaling of incentive salience, thus boosting motivation to seek out and respond to these preferred stimuli.

人类神经影像学研究表明，存在一个用于主观评价奖励的核心网络，包括纹状体和眶额皮质。然而，关于视觉性刺激（VSS）主观奖赏值的神经表征以及这些主观评价在相关成瘾行为发展中的作用的研究很少。在这里，我们使用功能磁共振成像 (fMRI) 研究了对 VSS 的神经反应如何与个人偏好相关联。在 fMRI 扫描期间，72 名男性观看了不同的 VSS 影片剪辑。收集了关于效价和性唤起的评级，并将其用作 fMRI 分析中的参数调制器。受试者还填写了关于有问题的色情使用（PPU）的自我报告症状的问卷。首先，我们发现对伏隔核、尾状核和眶额皮质中 VSS 剪辑的神经反应与所有受试者中各自 VSS 的个体评分呈正相关。其次，神经活动和性唤起等级之间的关联强度与 PPU 的自我报告症状呈正相关。第一个结果表明根据已建立的奖励评估区域中的个人偏好对 VSS 进行精确评估。其次，具有更多 PPU 症状的参与者基于偏好的更强神经分化表明这些个体中 VSS/偏好拟合的重要性增加。个人喜好和神经活动之间的这种高度对应可能通过增加激励显着性信号来促进 PPU 的发展，