This study investigates the neural mechanisms underlying human altruism, specifically the decision-making process involved in charitable donation. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers examined how the brain responds to decisions to donate or oppose societal causes. The study found that the mesolimbic reward system, which is activated by monetary rewards, is also engaged by donations. Additionally, the medial orbitofrontal-subgenual and lateral orbitofrontal areas, which play key roles in social attachment and aversion, mediate decisions to donate or oppose causes. Notably, more anterior sectors of the prefrontal cortex are recruited when altruistic choices override selfish material interests. These findings suggest that human altruism draws on general mammalian neural systems of reward, social attachment, and aversion, with the anterior prefrontal cortex playing a crucial role in representing complex reinforcement contingencies related to altruistic decisions.This study investigates the neural mechanisms underlying human altruism, specifically the decision-making process involved in charitable donation. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers examined how the brain responds to decisions to donate or oppose societal causes. The study found that the mesolimbic reward system, which is activated by monetary rewards, is also engaged by donations. Additionally, the medial orbitofrontal-subgenual and lateral orbitofrontal areas, which play key roles in social attachment and aversion, mediate decisions to donate or oppose causes. Notably, more anterior sectors of the prefrontal cortex are recruited when altruistic choices override selfish material interests. These findings suggest that human altruism draws on general mammalian neural systems of reward, social attachment, and aversion, with the anterior prefrontal cortex playing a crucial role in representing complex reinforcement contingencies related to altruistic decisions.