title: Different roads to the same destination - The impact of impulsivity on decision-making processes under risk within a rewarding context in a healthy male sample.
abstract: The results of research about the influences of impulsivity on decision-making in situations of risk have been inconsistent. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the neural correlates of decision-making under risk in 12 impulsive, as defined by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, and 13 normal men. Although both groups showed similar decision-making behavior, neural activation regarding decision-making processes differed significantly. Impulsive persons revealed stronger activation in the (ventro-) medial prefrontal cortex and less deactivation of the orbitofrontal cortex while playing for potential gains. These brain regions might be associated with the emotional components of decision-making processes. Significant differences in brain areas linked to cognitive decision-making components were not found. This activation pattern might be seen as an indication for a hypersensitivity to rewarding cues in impulsive persons and might be linked to the propensity for inappropriate risk-taking behavior in persons with more extreme impulsivity levels, especially in situations in which they have a strong emotional involvement in the decision process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Heidelberg University, Hauptstraße 47-51, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, D-69159 Mannheim, Germany. Electronic address: ramona.dinu-biringer@zi-mannheim.de.
authors.forename: Ramona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dinu-Biringer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, D-69159 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nees
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Heidelberg University, Hauptstraße 47-51, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Rosalux
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Falquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Heidelberg University, Hauptstraße 47-51, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barnow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D011678:Punishment; D012201:Reward; D012309:Risk-Taking; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Emotional decision-making processes; Punishment; Reward; fMRI