Assessing Impulsivity in Humans and Rodents: Taking the Translational Road

Abstract

Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct encompassing domains of behavioral inhibition as well as of decision making. It is often adaptive and associated with fast responses, being in that sense physiological. However, abnormal manifestations of impulsive behavior can be observed in contexts of drug abuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others. A number of tools have therefore been devised to assess the different facets of impulsivity in both normal and pathological contexts. In this narrative review, we systematize behavioral and self-reported measures of impulsivity and critically discuss their constructs and limitations, establishing a parallel between assessments in humans and rodents. The first rely on paradigms that are typically designed to assess a specific dimension of impulsivity, within either impulsive action (inability to suppress a prepotent action) or impulsive choice, which implies a decision that weighs the costs and benefits of the options. On the other hand, self-reported measures are performed through questionnaires, allowing assessment of impulsivity dimensions that would be difficult to mimic in an experimental setting (e.g., positive/negative urgency and lack of premeditation) and which are therefore difficult (if not impossible) to measure in rodents.

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“…Impulsivity and aggressive behaviors have often been found to associate ( Cervantes and Delville, 2007 ). Therefore, in order to provide an external validation to our PhW assessment we tested for impulsivity in the Variable Delay-to-Signal test – VDS ( Leite-Almeida et al, 2013 ; Soares et al, 2018 ); see also for review ( Esteves et al, 2021 ). In this paradigm animals learn to wait for a light signal for 3 s in order to obtain a reinforcer after a timed nosepoke.…”

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“…Impulsivity constitutes a complex multifaceted psychological construct, strongly related with the difficulties in the control of thoughts and behaviors: individuals with high impulsivity levels show speedy responses with low reflection, despite possible negative consequences and harms ( 28 ). Impulsivity has also been conceptualized as an endophenotype of vulnerability and a transdiagnostic feature, characterized by patterns of risky health-related decision-making, that can be displayed as a temporary state and/or a generalized trait over time and across contexts that may contribute to multiple psychiatric disorders ( 29 , 30 ). For example, a current systematic review and voxel-based meta-analysis focused on the relationships between brain morphology and trait impulsivity, has identified impulsivity-related volumetric gray matter alterations in prefrontal, temporal, and parietal cortices, as well as interaction effects of age and gender ( 31 ).…”

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“…The other test consisted of the placement of a ramp, so that the animals needed to climb in order to obtain the large reward (HR), which is the Effort-based Decision Making (EDM). This test was used to evaluate impulsivity ( 42 ). And the protocol was similar to the one used by other investigators ( 43 , 44 ).…”