Developmental effects of decision-making on sensitivity to reward: An fMRI study

Abstract

Studies comparing neural correlates of reward processing across development yield inconsistent findings. This challenges theories characterizing adolescents as globally hypo- or hypersensitive to rewards. Developmental differences in reward sensitivity may fluctuate based on reward magnitude, and on whether rewards require decision-making. We examined whether these factors modulate developmental differences in neural response during reward anticipation and/or receipt in 26 adolescents (14.05±2.37yrs) and 26 adults (31.25±8.23yrs). Brain activity was assessed with fMRI during reward anticipation, when subjects made responses with-vs.-without decision-making, to obtain large–vs.–small rewards, and during reward receipt. When reward-receipt required decision-making, neural activity did not differ by age. However, when reward receipt did not require decision-making, neural activity varied by development, reward magnitude, and stage of the reward task. During anticipation, adolescents, but not adults, exhibited greater activity in the insula, extending into putamen, and cingulate gyrus for large-vs.-small incentives. During feedback, adults, but not adolescents, exhibited greater activity in the precuneus for large-vs.-small incentives. These data indicate that age-related differences in reward sensitivity cannot be characterized by global hypo- or hyper-responsivity. Instead, neural responding in striatum, prefrontal cortex and precuneus is influenced by both situational demands and developmental factors. This suggests nuanced maturational effects in adolescent reward sensitivity.

Iowa Gambling Task performance and executive function predict low-income urban preadolescents’ risky behaviors

“…Extending this line of research to include experimental manipulation of preadolescents’ sensitivity to loss and inhibitory control through training or clinical support would provide stronger grounds for causal inference in future research (see for example, the work by Berkman et al, 2012). Additional research on these questions would also undoubtedly benefit from expansion of measurement approaches to include functional neuroimaging as well as behavioral assessment of IGT and EF performance among samples facing higher as well as lower socioeconomic risk (see work by Jarcho et al, 2012). Both approaches have the strong potential to make significant contributions not only to basic science but also to clinical intervention, offering mental health practitioners and educators new tools with which to support healthy outcomes for low-income children as they step across the threshold of adolescence.…”

A systematic review of fMRI reward paradigms used in studies of adolescents vs. adults: The impact of task design and implications for understanding neurodevelopment

“…That is, by including both a passive condition (e.g., passive reward task), which is devoid of agency, and an active condition (e.g., decision-making), which includes agency, the two conditions may be contrasted with one another to isolate the role of agency in reward processing. This approach was taken by Jarcho and colleagues (2012). This study found that neural activity differed by age when the reward-receipt was prescribed by the task (no-choice condition), but was not influenced by age when decision-making was required (choice condition).…”

The Role of the Anterior Insula in Adolescent Decision Making

“…2b) [91, 98, 99]. One study showing that the development of the AIC, alongside that of the striatum, is relevant to even basic reward processing was conducted by Van Leijenhorst et al [91].…”