The Biology of Not Giving Up

The Neuroscience of Tenacity

In the paper “The Tenacious Brain: How the Anterior Mid-Cingulate Contributes to Achieving Goals,” tenacity is defined as more than just persistence. The authors describe it as both a consistent pattern of behaviour and a bias in how the brain evaluates effort—specifically, one that downplays the immediate cost of effort while emphasizing the value of long-term rewards.

In simple terms, tenacity allows us to continue working toward a goal even when progress is slow or the payoff isn’t immediately visible.

The Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex (aMCC)

At the center of this process is the anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC).

The aMCC occupies a unique position in the brain, sitting at the intersection of multiple neural networks involved in:

• Motivation

• Cognitive control

• Emotional processing

• Physiological regulation
  
  

Because of this positioning, the aMCC receives a wide range of signals from other brain regions. This allows it to weigh effort against reward and determine how much energy, attention, and physiological resources should be allocated toward a particular goal.

In essence, the aMCC helps answer the question: Is this worth the effort?

Tenacity vs. Apathy

The paper contrasts tenacity with apathy, defined as a lack of interest, motivation, or concern.

Neurobiologically, these two states appear to be associated with measurable differences in the aMCC:

• Greater tenacity is linked to increased aMCC activity and volume

• Apathy, commonly seen in neurodegenerative conditions, is associated with reduced aMCC size and decreased blood flow to the region
  
  

These findings suggest that the aMCC is shaped by how and how often it is engaged. 

Effort as a Driver of Brain Health

One of the most compelling implications of this research is that effort itself may be neuroprotective.

Engaging in behaviours that require sustained effort—particularly when rewards are delayed—may help maintain or even enhance aMCC function. This reframes effort not as something to minimize, but as something that may actively support brain health over time.

Exercise as a Model of Tenacity

A clear real-world example of tenacity is the maintenance of a regular exercise routine.

The authors cite evidence suggesting that consistent physical activity may increase aMCC volume, potentially strengthening the very neural circuitry responsible for persistence and motivation. In this way, exercise may not only require tenacity, but also reinforce it.

The same framework can be applied to other health-supportive behaviours, such as maintaining consistent eating patterns or making long-term lifestyle changes that don’t produce immediate results.

When Tenacity Becomes Maladaptive

Importantly, the paper also highlights a key caveat: more activation is not always better.

Excessive or poorly directed stimulation of the aMCC may contribute to rigid or obsessive goal pursuit. When tenacity becomes narrowly focused on maladaptive outcomes—such as extreme thinness or over-control—it can undermine health rather than support it.

This underscores the importance of aligning effort with goals that genuinely promote wellbeing, rather than simply rewarding persistence for its own sake.

Tenacity, Achievement, and Performance

Beyond health behaviours, aMCC function has implications in academic and professional contexts. Research cited in the paper shows that traits such as grit and persistence are associated with aMCC activity.

This suggests that the aMCC may contribute to the increased achievement often observed in individuals who are able to sustain effort over time, even in the face of discomfort or delayed reward.

Just Keep Going

Tenacity is often framed as a character trait—something you either have or don’t. This research challenges that idea.

Instead, tenacity appears to be a trainable capacity, shaped by repeated engagement in effortful, goal-directed behaviour. Choosing to do things that are challenging, uncomfortable, or not immediately rewarding may strengthen the neural systems that allow us to persist.

In an era defined by convenience, speed, and constant stimulation, this work offers a valuable reminder: meaningful growth—mentally, physically, and neurologically—often occurs quietly, long before it feels rewarding. So keep doing the hard things, keep going

Research Paper: The Tenacious Brain: How the Anterior Mid-Cingulate Contributes to Achieving Goals