title: Interindividual variability in functional connectivity as long-term correlate of temporal discounting.
abstract: During intertemporal choice (IT) future outcomes are usually devaluated as a function of the delay, a phenomenon known as temporal discounting (TD). Based on task-evoked activity, previous neuroimaging studies have described several networks associated with TD. However, given its relevance for several disorders, a critical challenge is to define a specific neural marker able to predict TD independently of task execution. To this aim, we used resting-state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) and measured TD during economic choices several months apart in 25 human subjects. We further explored the relationship between TD, impulsivity and decision uncertainty by collecting standard questionnaires on individual trait/state differences. Our findings indicate that fcMRI within and between critical nodes of task-evoked neural networks associated with TD correlates with discounting behavior measured a long time afterwards, independently of impulsivity. Importantly, the nodes form an intrinsic circuit that might support all the mechanisms underlying TD, from the representation of subjective value to choice selection through modulatory effects of cognitive control and episodic prospection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti,Italy; Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, G. D'Annunzio Foundation, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calluso
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti,Italy; Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, G. D'Annunzio Foundation, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosoni
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, via S. Martino della Battaglia 44, 00185, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pezzulo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti,Italy; Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, G. D'Annunzio Foundation, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spadone
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti,Italy; Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, G. D'Annunzio Foundation, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Committeri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D063132:Connectome / Q000379:methods*; D065786:Delay Discounting / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007206:Individuality; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty; D055815:Young Adult