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Neurobiological Models of Risky Decision-Making and Adolescent Substance Use

Neurobiological Models of Risky Decision-Making and Adolescent Substance Use Purpose of Review This article provides an overview of evidence-based neurobiological models of risky decision-making, noting their implications for adolescent substance use. Drawing on brain and behavioral research, neural imbalance and fuzzy-trace theory are reviewed to explain developmental differences in preferences for risk (tolerating the possibility of bad outcomes to achieve larger rewards), time (waiting for larger but delayed rewards), and ambiguity (willingness to explore the unknown to achieve rewards). Recent Findings Consistent with these theories and evidence, and also with major theories of addiction, developmental differ- ences in reward sensitivity, cognitive control to inhibit impulses, and their neural substrates partially explain adolescents’ greater willingness to use substances. However, meta-analyses show that preferences depend on a shift in cognitive representations from risk-reward tradeoffs to simple gist, as predicted by fuzzy-trace theory. Gist representations also facilitate adolescents’ ability to connect social norms and values to decisions. Summary Implications for periods of vulnerability, individual differences, and treatments for addiction are discussed, including opioid addiction. Addiction can begin when multiple vulnerabilities coincide at neurological, psychological, and sociocultural levels, but theory identifies potential strategies for prevention and treatment. . . . . . . Keywords Neural imbalance model Fuzzy-trace theory Reward sensitivity Ventral http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Current Addiction Reports Springer Journals

Neurobiological Models of Risky Decision-Making and Adolescent Substance Use

Reyna, Valerie
Current Addiction Reports , Volume 5 (2) – Mar 3, 2018
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Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 by Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
Subject
Medicine & Public Health; Psychiatry; Neurology
eISSN
2196-2952
DOI
10.1007/s40429-018-0193-z
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose of Review This article provides an overview of evidence-based neurobiological models of risky decision-making, noting their implications for adolescent substance use. Drawing on brain and behavioral research, neural imbalance and fuzzy-trace theory are reviewed to explain developmental differences in preferences for risk (tolerating the possibility of bad outcomes to achieve larger rewards), time (waiting for larger but delayed rewards), and ambiguity (willingness to explore the unknown to achieve rewards). Recent Findings Consistent with these theories and evidence, and also with major theories of addiction, developmental differ- ences in reward sensitivity, cognitive control to inhibit impulses, and their neural substrates partially explain adolescents’ greater willingness to use substances. However, meta-analyses show that preferences depend on a shift in cognitive representations from risk-reward tradeoffs to simple gist, as predicted by fuzzy-trace theory. Gist representations also facilitate adolescents’ ability to connect social norms and values to decisions. Summary Implications for periods of vulnerability, individual differences, and treatments for addiction are discussed, including opioid addiction. Addiction can begin when multiple vulnerabilities coincide at neurological, psychological, and sociocultural levels, but theory identifies potential strategies for prevention and treatment. . . . . . . Keywords Neural imbalance model Fuzzy-trace theory Reward sensitivity Ventral

Journal

Current Addiction Reports – Springer Journals

Published: Mar 3, 2018

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