A Neurocomputational Account of How Inflammation Enhances Sensitivity to Punishments Versus Rewards.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inflammation rapidly impairs mood and cognition and, when severe, can appear indistinguishable from major depression. These sickness responses are characterized by an acute reorientation of motivational state; pleasurable activities are avoided, and sensitivity to negative stimuli is enhanced. However, it remains unclear how these rapid shifts in behavior are mediated within the brain.

Methods

Here, we combined computational modeling of choice behavior, experimentally induced inflammation, and functional brain imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to describe these mechanisms. Using a double-blind, randomized crossover study design, 24 healthy volunteers completed a probabilistic instrumental learning task on two separate occasions, one 3 hours after typ

SUBMITTER: Harrison NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4918729 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature