BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Depression is characterized by low reward sensitivity in behavioral studies applying signal detection theory. We examined deficits in reward-based decision making in depressed participants during a probabilistic learning task, and used a reinforcement learning model to examine learning parameters during the task. METHODS: Thirty-six nonclinical undergraduates completed a probabilistic selection task. Participants were divided into depressed and non-depressed groups based on Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) cut scores. We then applied a reinforcement learning model to every participant's behavioral data. RESULTS: Depressed participants showed a reward-based decision making deficit and higher levels of the learning parameter τ, which modulates variability of action selection, as compared to non-depressed participants. Highly variable action selection is more random and characterized by difficulties with selecting a specific course of action. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that depression is characterized by deficits in reward-based decision making as well as high variability in terms of action selection.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Depression is characterized by low reward sensitivity in behavioral studies applying signal detection theory. We examined deficits in reward-based decision making in depressed participants during a probabilistic learning task, and used a reinforcement learning model to examine learning parameters during the task. METHODS: Thirty-six nonclinical undergraduates completed a probabilistic selection task. Participants were divided into depressed and non-depressed groups based on Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) cut scores. We then applied a reinforcement learning model to every participant's behavioral data. RESULTS: Depressed participants showed a reward-based decision making deficit and higher levels of the learning parameter τ, which modulates variability of action selection, as compared to non-depressed participants. Highly variable action selection is more random and characterized by difficulties with selecting a specific course of action. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that depression is characterized by deficits in reward-based decision making as well as high variability in terms of action selection.
Authors: George S Alexopoulos; Robert O'Neil; Samprit Banerjee; Patrick J Raue; Lindsay W Victoria; Jennifer N Bress; Cristina Pollari; Patricia A Arean Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2017-06-19 Impact factor: 4.839
Authors: Jessica A Cooper; Marissa A Gorlick; Taylor Denny; Darrell A Worthy; Christopher G Beevers; W Todd Maddox Journal: Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 3.282
Authors: George S Alexopoulos; Patrick J Raue; Dimitris N Kiosses; Joanna K Seirup; Samprit Banerjee; Patricia A Arean Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2014-06-26 Impact factor: 4.105
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