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| Research article summary (published 27 Feb 2003): |
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Decision making in humans: the effect of manipulating the central noradrenergic system.
Full Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Damasio has proposed an influential model of human decision making-the Somatic Marker Hypothesis (SMH), where he argues that somatic feedback to the brain influences decision making in humans. It is proposed that when choosing between options that differ in relative risk, a somatic marker (for example, a "gut feeling") feeds back to the brain and influences cognitive appraisal. This study tested the hypothesis that the noradrenergic system may play a part in this afferent feedback process.
METHODS:
Thirty healthy young adults were randomly allocated to receive placebo, 4 mg, or 8 mg reboxetine (a new selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor that acts to increase central noradrenergic activity). It is hypothesised that enhancement of central noradrenergic activity may amplify the effect of afferent feedback, and lead to altered decision making. All subjects completed the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a computerised card playing game where the player is instructed to try and win as much money as possible over 100 selections from one of four decks.
RESULTS:
There were no significant differences between the three groups in gambling task performance.
CONCLUSION:
This result suggests that central noradrenergic activity may not be critically involved in the afferent feedback mechanism that is central to the somatic marker hypothesis.
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Author information
Author/s: O'Carroll, R E (RE); Papps, B P (BP);
Affiliation: School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, UK. ronan(-atsign-)st-and.ac.uk
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 74 (issue 3) : pp 376-8
Dates: Created 2003/02/17; Completed 2003/04/03; Revised 2004/11/17;
PMID: 12588933, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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