The propensity to sign-track is associated with externalizing behavior and distinct patterns of reward-related brain activation in youth.

ABSTRACT: Externalizing behaviors in childhood often predict impulse control disorders in adulthood; however, the underlying bio-behavioral risk factors are incompletely understood. In animals, the propensity to sign-track, or the degree to which incentive motivational value is attributed to reward cues, is associated with externalizing-type behaviors and deficits in executive control. Using a Pavlovian conditioned approach paradigm, we quantified sign-tracking in 40 healthy 9-12-year-olds. We also measured parent-reported externalizing behaviors and anticipatory neural activations to outcome-predicting cues using the monetary incentive delay fMRI task. Sign-tracking was associated with attentional and inhibitory control deficits and the degree of amygdala, but not cortical, activation during reward

SUBMITTER: Colaizzi JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10020483 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature