Differential patterns of nucleus accumbens activation during anticipation of monetary and social reward in young and older adults.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the loss of reward sensitivity in the aging brain. Although such an age effect might be due to a decline of physiological processes, it may also be a consequence of age-related changes in motivational preference for different rewards. Here, we examined whether the age effects on neural correlates of reward anticipation are modulated by the type of expected reward. Functional magnetic resonance images were acquired in 24 older (60-78 years) and 24 young participants (20-28 years) while they performed an incentive delay task offering monetary or social rewards. Anticipation of either reward type recruited brain structures associated with reward, including the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Region of interest analysis revealed an interact

SUBMITTER: Rademacher L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4040093 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature