Effects of methylphenidate on reinforcement learning depend on working memory capacity.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Brain catecholamines have long been implicated in reinforcement learning, exemplified by catecholamine drug and genetic effects on probabilistic reversal learning. However, the mechanisms underlying such effects are unclear.

Objectives and methods

Here we investigated effects of an acute catecholamine challenge with methylphenidate (20 mg, oral) on a novel probabilistic reversal learning paradigm in a within-subject, double-blind randomised design. The paradigm was designed to disentangle effects on punishment avoidance from effects on reward perseveration. Given the known large individual variability in methylphenidate's effects, we stratified our effects by working memory capacity and trait impulsivity, putatively modulating the effects of methylphenidate, in a l

SUBMITTER: Rostami Kandroodi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8629893 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature