title: Baseline EEG theta/beta ratio and punishment sensitivity as biomarkers for feedback-related negativity (FRN) and risk-taking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Feedback-related negativity (FRN) is associated with reinforcement learning and punishment sensitivity. Furthermore, reinforcement learning proficiency can be predicted from pre-task baseline EEG theta/beta ratio. In this study it was examined whether there was a relation between baseline theta/beta ratio in rest and FRN amplitude during a gambling task, and if such a correlation would be related to theta activity or to beta activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline EEG and a self-report measure of punishment sensitivity (BIS) were obtained from 52 healthy volunteers. FRN was recorded during a gambling task.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FRN amplitude was negatively correlated with theta/beta ratio in high BIS individuals. Furthermore, source localization indicated that baseline theta activity generated in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) accounted for this correlation. For low BIS individuals no correlation was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An association between high baseline theta/beta ratio with low amplitude FRN and high risk-taking can be found in individuals who score sufficiently high on the BIS scale. This relationship is carried mostly by baseline theta activity, but not by beta activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This link between baseline brain activity, self-report measures and feedback processing may contribute to further understanding the biological basis of conditions that are accompanied by abnormal theta/beta ratio and reward processing, such as attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD).
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. stijnmassar@gmail.com
authors.forename: S A A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Massar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: D J L G
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schutter
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kenemans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D030141:Feedback, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011678:Punishment; D012201:Reward; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires