Development of Novel Tasks to Assess Outcome-Specific and General Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer in Humans

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The emergence of Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) research in the human neurobehavioral domain has been met with increased interest over the past two decades. A variety of PIT tasks were developed during this time; while successful in demonstrating transfer phenomena, existing tasks have limitations that should be addressed. Herein, we introduce two PIT paradigms designed to assess outcome-specific and general PIT within the context of addiction. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> The single-lever PIT task, based on an established paradigm, replaced button presses with joystick motion to better assess avoidance behavior. The full transfer task uses alcohol and nonalcohol rewards associated with Pavlovian cues and instrumental responses, along with other gustatory and monetary rewards. We constructed mixed-effects models with the addition of other statistical analyses as needed to interpret various behavioral measures. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Single-lever PIT: both versions were successful in eliciting a PIT effect (joystick: <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup> = 0.36, button-box: <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup> = 0.30). Full transfer task: it was determined that the alcohol and nonalcoholic reward cues selectively primed their respective reward-associated responses (gustatory version: <i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>r</i> = 0.59, and monetary version: <i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>r</i> = 0.84). The appetitive/aversive cues resulted in a general transfer effect (gustatory: <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup> = 0.09, and monetary: <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup> = 0.17). <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Single-lever PIT: PIT was observed in both task versions. We posit that the use of a joystick is more advantageous for the analysis of avoidance behavior. It evenly distributes movement between approach and avoid trials, which is relevant to analyzing fMRI data. Full transfer task: While gustatory conditioning has been used in the past to elicit transfer effects, we present the first paradigm that successfully elicits both specific and general transfers in humans with gustatory alcohol rewards.

Effects of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Pavlovian-To-Instrumental Transfer in Alcohol Use Disorder

“…However, in contrast to findings by Belanger at al. (29), who observed a symmetrical effect of Pavlovian CS on approach and avoidance behavior, we found the negatively valanced Pavlovian CS to be avoided to a lesser extent than approach towards positive Pavlovian CS. Overall this finding corroborates the research on the influence of motivation on the magnitude of instrumental responding (39).…”

“…In light of this, we wanted to investigate whether PIT effects can be modulated by mindfulness training. Therefore, participants with AUD as well as healthy controls were subjected to a brief mindful audio-guided body scan meditation before completing the transfer phase of a newly developed single-lever PIT paradigm (29). We contrasted this meditation with the same subjects passively listening to a recording of nature sounds.…”

Effects of a brief mindfulness meditation practice on Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer in alcohol use disorder – a pilot study

“…The intervention took place between Pavlovian conditioning and the actual transfer phase of the PIT task. Figure adapted from ( 29 ). The final, published version of this article is available at https://doi.org/10.1159/000526774 .…”

“…In light of this, we wanted to investigate whether PIT effects can be modulated by mindfulness training. Therefore, a pilot sample of participants with AUD as well as healthy controls were subjected to a brief mindful audio-guided body scan meditation before completing the transfer phase of a newly developed single-lever PIT paradigm ( 29 ). We contrasted this meditation with the same subjects passively listening to a recording of nature sounds.…”

Targeting Learning Mechanisms in Addictive Disorders

“…The effect of Pavlovian conditioned cues on instrumental behavior can be assessed using Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) paradigms, which are discussed with respect to drug-related findings by Garbusow et al [11]. Further exploring the interaction between Pavlovian conditioning and operant learning mechanisms, Belanger et al [12] describe the development and first empirical test results regarding a novel task to assess outcome-specific and general PIT effects. Such PIT effects could be targeted by training programs that address the modification of automatic approach bias.…”