Futurity.org » reward

Older adults make smarter choices

Sherylon Carroll-Texas A&M — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:42:16 +0000

TEXAS A&M (US) — When making decisions, older adults take into consideration the long-term pros and cons, while younger people look for instant gratification, a new study shows.

“What we did, and what was new about this experiment, was that we had people perform tasks where the choices they made influenced what rewards were available in the future,” says Darrell Worthy, professor of psychology at Texas A&M University.

Tweaks to brain rein in need for reward

Leslie Lang-UNC — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:24:51 +0000

UNC-CHAPEL HILL (US) —Therapeutics that target the path between two critical brain regions may pose potential treatment for reward-seeking behaviors like addiction.

A new study published in the journal Nature details how researchers using optogenetics—a combination of genetic engineering and laser technology—were able to manipulate the brain’s microcircuitry to assess how minute changes impact behavior.

Gene links alcoholism, impulsivity

Ian Demsky-Michigan — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:54:13 +0000

U. MICHIGAN (US) — New research links a genetic variation with alcoholism, impulsive behavior, and an area of the brain involved with craving and anxiety.

The finding could have potential for the development of future prevention and treatments.

Reward sets off ruckus in teen brain

Morgan Kelly-Pittsburgh — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:49:10 +0000

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — The frenzy of neuron activity seen in adolescent rat brains when reward is on the line suggests a biological root to risky behavior in teenagers.

The findings, reported in the Journal of Neuroscience, also may explain why adolescents are more vulnerable to drug addiction, behavioral disorders, and other psychological ills.

Neuron predicts if we’ll save or splurge

Bill Hathaway-Yale — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:15:41 +0000

YALE (US) — Save for retirement or buy the BMW? It’s possible to predict which choice a person will make by eavesdropping on the activity of a single brain cell.

In a study published in the journal Neuron, researchers at Yale University helped identify areas of the brain involved in the decision to delay gratification or indulge, which involves a network that links multiple areas of the brain in a sort of complex feedback loop.

To win, brain says ‘show me the money’

Tony Fitzpatrick-WUSTL — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:58:55 +0000

WASHINGTON U.-ST. LOUIS (US)—When there’s money on the table, some people always find a way to win. New research suggests that a specific brain area helps “money players” use the prospect of success to better prepare their thoughts and actions—and increase the odds of winning reward.

The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, identified a brain region about two inches above the left eyebrow that sprang into action whenever study participants were shown a dollar sign—a predetermined cue that a correct answer on the task at hand would result in a financial reward.

For teens, taking risks comes naturally

Tim Green-U. Texas — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:01:24 +0000

U. TEXAS-AUSTIN (US)—Biology may be to blame when it comes to adolescents making stereotypically poor decisions and engaging in risky behavior.

“Risky behaviors, such as experimenting with drugs or having unsafe sex, are actually driven by over activity in the mesolimbic dopamine system, a system which appears to be the final pathway to all addictions in the adolescent brain,” says Russell Poldrack, professor of psychology and neurobiology at University of Texas, Austin.

Psychopaths’ brains seek rewards at all costs

Melanie Moran-Vanderbilt — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:22:06 +0000

Abnormalities in how the nucleus accumbens, highlighted here, processes dopamine have been found in individuals with psychopathic traits and may be linked to violent, criminal behavior. These individuals appear to have such a strong draw to reward—to the carrot—that it overwhelms the sense of risk or concern about the stick,” says David Zald. (Credit: Gregory Samanez-Larkin and Joshua Buckholtz)

VANDERBILT (US)—The brains of psychopaths appear to be wired to keep seeking a reward regardless of the consequences, according to new research.

“Psychopaths are often thought of as cold-blooded criminals who take what they want without thinking about consequences,” says the study’s lead author Joshua Buckholtz, a graduate student in psychology at Vanderbilt University.

Monkey brain signals mental wanderlust

Futurity-Jenny Leonard — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:21:30 +0000

Researchers looked at how nerve cells fired in a part of the brain known as the posterior cingulate cortex when the monkeys were offered a selection of rewards. When the monkeys decided to explore new alternatives, the neurons, for the most part, fired more strongly. (Credit: Muhammad Mahdi Karim)

DUKE (US)—Knowing when to stay with what’s familiar or when to search for something new can be tricky, especially for those with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Using brain scans, researchers are able to predict when monkeys will switch from exploiting a known resource to exploring their options.

“Humans aren’t the only animals who wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere, but it’s hard to abandon what we know in hopes of finding something better,” explains John Pearson, research associate of neurobiology at Duke University and the study’s lead author.

Depression kills cravings for delight

Futurity-Jenny Leonard — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:51:37 +0000

Decreased motivation to seek and experience pleasurable experiences, known as anhedonia, is a primary symptom of major depressive disorder. Anhedonia is less responsive to many antidepressants and often persists after other symptoms of depression subside.

VANDERBILT (US)—Decreased cravings for pleasure may be at the root of a core symptom of major depressive disorder. The new finding contrasts the long-held notion that those suffering from depression lack the ability to enjoy rewards, rather than the desire to seek them.