Probing reward function in posttraumatic stress disorder: expectancy and satisfaction with monetary gains and losses.
BACKGROUND
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with dysfunctional reward processing. The present study assessed for such dysfunction in both the expectancy and outcome phases of reward processing.


METHODS
Male Vietnam veterans with (n=15) and without (n=11) combat-related PTSD were administered a wheel of fortune-type gambling task. Self-reported ratings of expectancy and satisfaction were collected respectively before and after each experience of monetary gain or loss.


RESULTS
PTSD participants reported both lower expectancy of reward and lower satisfaction with reward when it was received. The latter result was manifest in a failure of PTSD participants to show the greater satisfaction that normally accompanies rewards received under conditions of low expectancy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest reward function impairment in PTSD related to expectancy, satisfaction, and the expectancy-satisfaction relationship.
Hopper
James W
JW
Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
Pitman
Roger K
RK
Su
Zhaohui
Z
Heyman
Gene M
GM
Lasko
Natasha B
NB
Macklin
Michael L
ML
Orr
Scott P
SP
Lukas
Scott E
SE
Elman
Igor
I
D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D004644:Emotions; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012201:Reward; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*