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In for a penny, in for a pound: methylphenidate reduces the inhibitory effect of high stakes on persistent risky choice

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posted on 2023-06-08, 19:28 authored by Dan Campbell-MeiklejohnDan Campbell-Meiklejohn, Arndis Simonsen, Jørgen Scheel-Krüger, Victoria Wohlert, Trine Gjerløff, Chris D Frith, Robert D Rogers, Andreas Roepstorff, Arne Møller
Methylphenidate (MPH) is a stimulant that increases extracellular levels of dopamine and noradrenaline. It can diminish risky decision-making tendencies in certain clinical populations. MPH is also used, without license, by healthy adults, but the impact on their decision-making is not well established. Previous work has found that dopamine receptor activity of healthy adults can modulate the influence of stake magnitude on decisions to persistently gamble after incurring a loss. In this study, we tested for modulation of this effect by MPH in 40 healthy human adults. In a double-blind experiment, 20 subjects received 20 mg of MPH, while 20 matched controls received a placebo. All were provided with 30 rounds of opportunities to accept an incurred loss from their assets or opt for a "double-or-nothing" gamble that would either avoid or double it. Rounds began with a variable loss that would double with every failed gamble until it was accepted, recovered, or reached a specified maximum. Probability of recovery on any gamble was low and ambiguous. Subjects receiving placebo gambled less as the magnitude of the stake was raised and as the magnitude of accumulated loss escalated over the course of the task. In contrast, subjects treated with MPH gambled at a consistent rate, well above chance, across all stakes and trials. Trait reward responsiveness also reduced the impact of high stakes. The findings suggest that elevated catecholamine activity by MPH can disrupt inhibitory influences on persistent risky choice in healthy adults.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journal of Neuroscience

ISSN

1529-2401

Publisher

Society for Neuroscience

Issue

38

Volume

32

Page range

13032-13038

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-02-11

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-02-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-02-11

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