Dysfunctional representation of expected value is associated with reinforcement-based decision-making deficits in adolescents with conduct problems

Stuart F. White, Patrick M. Tyler, Anna K. Erway, Mary L. Botkin, Venkata Kolli, Harma Meffert, Kayla Pope, James R. Blair

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Previous work has shown that patients with conduct problems (CP) show impairments in reinforcement-based decision-making. However, studies with patients have not previously demonstrated any relationships between impairment in any of the neurocomputations underpinning reinforcement-based decision-making and specific symptom sets [e.g. level of CP and/or callous-unemotional (CU) traits]. Methods: Seventy-two youths [20 female, mean age = 13.81 (SD = 2.14), mean IQ = 102.34 (SD = 10.99)] from a residential treatment program and the community completed a passive avoidance task while undergoing functional MRI. Results: Greater levels of CP were associated with poorer task performance. Reduced representation of expected values (EV) when making avoidance responses within bilateral anterior insula cortex/inferior frontal gyrus (AIC/iFG) and striatum was associated with greater levels of CP but not CU traits. Conclusions: The current data indicate that difficulties in the use of value information to motivate decisions to avoid suboptimal choices are associated with increased levels of CP (though not severity of CU traits). Moreover, they account for the behavioral deficits observed during reinforcement-based decision-making in youth with CP. In short, an individual's relative failure to utilize value information within AIC/iFG to avoid bad choices is associated with elevated levels of CP.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)938-946
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines
Volume57
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2016

Keywords

  • Conduct problems
  • anterior insula
  • decision-making
  • expected value
  • prediction error

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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