343 Neural Correlates of Risky Decisions. Issue Volume 65:Issue CN(2018)Supplement 1 (16th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bick, Sarah K.B; Patel, Shaun; Eskandar, Emad N
• Is Part Of: Neurosurgery. Volume 65:Issue CN(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2018-08-16
• Subjects: Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.48005
• DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyy303.343
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-396X

Abstract

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Risk and reward guide our day-to-day decisions. Imbalance of risk and reward valuations can lead to impulse control disorders. Anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), nucleus accumbens (Nac), and caudate have roles in conflict and reward. Our objective was to evaluate the contribution of these structures to decision making under uncertain conditions to better understand the neurophysiology of risky decision making. METHODS: Six subjects who underwent depth electrode placement for medically refractory seizure localization participated in our study. Intracranial local field potentials were recorded from the implanted electrodes while subjects participated in a gambling task requiring them to place a high or low wager on the outcome of a simulated card game. High uncertainty trials were defined as those in which the chance of winning based on the dealt hand was 50%, while in low uncertainty trials the chance of winning or losing was more predictable. We computed power in anterior cingulate, OFC, Nac, and caudate electrodes and examined power changes preceding different types of wagers. RESULTS: In high uncertainty trials, there was decreased theta (4-8 Hz) power preceding high but not low bets in anterior cingulate, OFC, Nac, and caudate. During low uncertainty trials decreased theta power predicted high wagers in anterior cingulate and OFC while theta power in Nac and caudate did not differ between high and low bets. While anterior cingulate and OFC theta power distinguished high and low wagers in both high and low uncertainty trials, theta power was lower prior to high bets in high uncertainty trials than high bets in low uncertainty trials. CONCLUSION: Theta power in anterior cingulate, OFC, Nac, and caudate predicts risky decisions. In anterior cingulate and OFC reward, expectation may also contribute to theta power changes. These findings suggest new potential targets for neuromodulation for impulse control disorders.