A computational approach to understanding effort-based decision-making in depression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Motivational dysfunction is a core feature of depression and can have debilitating effects on everyday function. However, it is unclear which cognitive processes underlie impaired motivation and whether impairments persist following remission. Decision-making concerning exerting effort to obtain rewards offers a promising framework for understanding motivation, especially when examined with computational tools.

Methods

Effort-based decision-making was assessed using the Apple Gathering Task, where participants decide whether to exert effort via a grip-force device to obtain varying levels of reward; effort levels were individually calibrated and varied parametrically. We present a comprehensive computational analysis of decision-making, initially validating our mo

SUBMITTER: Valton V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12527505 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature