Clinical Research Directory

Motivation, Learning and Decision Making in Changing Environments

The main objective of this study is to develop a models of sequential decision-making, learning and motivation that includes emotions as driving forces of adaptive behaviour. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the investigators will test the hypotheses that distinct parts of the prefrontal cortex play specific roles in naturalistic decision-making. The main hypothesis is that distinct regions of the prefrontal cortex will be differentially involved in learning, motivation, and decision-making in naturalistic tasks. More specifically, the investigators hypothesise that by using a novel set of tasks they have designed in combination with fMRI, they can construct a neurocognitive model that explains how humans make adaptive decisions in dynamic and temporally extended reward environments. A key region that the investigators believe will play a role in representing the internal and external parameters necessary for adaptive behaviours in the tasks is the anterior cingulate cortex. Depending on the task requirements, this region will further interact with other distinct prefrontal regions such as the frontal pole or dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Secondary hypotheses will also be investigated, specific to each specific task. All data will be collected during a single visit lasting approximately 3.5 hours for each participant. Participants will perform a cognitive task inside the MRI scanner. Each participant will perform only one of the three possible cognitive conditions/tasks (Treasure Hunt, Fastest Queue, or Farm Game). Each task is presented in the form of a video game played on a computer. Participants play a character who makes repeated choices. Participants are asked to try to collect as many points as possible within a limited time frame (Farm Game) or with limited trials (Fastest Queue and Treasure Hunt).