How Does Aging Affect Decision-making? An Integrated Model Based on Neuroscience

Abstract

With the global population rapidly aging, understanding how this demographic shift affects decision-making becomes paramount. This review examines the impact of aging on decision-making processes, recognizing the profound influence individual choices wield on personal and societal values. Previous studies in psychology and neuroscience have explored this intersection, yet a consensus remains elusive due to the different paradigms used in each experiment. This review proposes an innovative approach by introducing an integrated neurocomputational model by first breaking down the decision-making process and defining key terms such as reward, risk, and uncertainty, aiming to bridge existing gaps in understanding. It synthesizes empirical findings from psychological and neuroscientific perspectives, incorporating recent insights from neuroimaging research on age-related changes. The review concludes with future research recommendations, encouraging a deeper exploration of aging and decision-making through the lens of neuroscience.