The (b)link between amotivation and psychosis: Insights through phasic eye blink rate. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGovern, Jessica E.; Masucci, Michael D.; Le, Thanh P.; Cohen, Alex S.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 294(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Schizophrenia -- Avolition -- Negative symptoms; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113490
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: Aberrant dopamine-related reward functioning is associated with amotivation in psychosis. Eye blink rate (EBR) has been used as index of these reward systems. EBR was lower during more active reward-task phases. Self-reported motivation correlated inversely with reward anticipation EBR. EBR appeared to reflect task engagement rather than striatal dopamine. Abstract: Motivation deficits within Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) are associated with abnormal striatal dopamine responses during reward processing. Eye blink rate (EBR) has been used as a proxy for striatal dopamine; however, it is unclear whether EBR is sensitive to individual differences in amotivation. Amotivation (clinician-rated and self-reported) and EBR during an effort-based reward task were assessed in 28 outpatients with SSDs. EBR was lower during more "active" task phases relative to rest periods. Higher EBR during reward anticipation was associated with lower self-reported, but not clinician-rated, motivation. These preliminary results support a task-engagement, rather than striatal dopamine, account of EBR.