Iowa Gambling Task Research Articles

Need for cognition moderates the impairment of decision making caused by nightshift work in nurses

The current study explores the effect of nightshift work on the decision-making competence and performance of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and analyzes whether individual differences in the need for cognition (NFC) can moderate this effect. A total of 107 female nurses were recruited to complete the decision-making competence scale and IGT at two times, after a night shift and after a day shift. The results revealed that the IGT scores and decision-making competence of nurses after nightshift work significantly declined, and also that the decrease in decision-making competence was related to the nurses’ performance of the IGT. Additionally, the decreasing degree of IGT and decision-making competence scores of the high-NFC group were significantly lower than those of the low-NFC group after nightshift work. In can be concluded that the decrease in decision-making competence which was related with poor decision-making due to nightshift work. NFC moderated the effect of nightshift work on decision-making.

Decision making under uncertainty in Parkinson's disease with Rem sleep behavior disorder

BackgroundREM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is associated with an increased risk to develop Impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD), however the mechanisms underlying this putative association are still poorly understood. Decision-making impairment, one major neuro-psychological dimension that may lead to ICDs, has been reported in idiopathic RBD, but has never been assessed in RBD associated with PD. ObjectiveWe aimed to assess decision-making abilities under ambiguous situations associated with the presence of RBD in PD patients. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 60 non-demented PD patients with (PD-RBD, n = 40) and without (PD-nRBD, n = 20) video polysomnography-confirmed RBD, and 20 healthy controls matched for gender and age were included. All subjects underwent neurological and neuropsychological examination, including Iowa Gambling task designed to asses decision-making under uncertainty. ResultsIGT total score did not differ between groups (p = 0.851), however PD-RBD presented, more disadvantageous choices for the last blocks of IGT compared to PD-nRBD (p = 0.001) and to HC (p = 0.012). Progression of scores did not differ between HC and PD-nRBD. Multivariate analyses taking into account the value of scores at baseline, as well as the duration of PD, the duration of treatment, the presence of ICDs and MMSE confirmed those results. ConclusionDecision making under uncertainty is impaired in PD-RBD compared to PD-nRBD and healthy controls, regardless to the duration of disease, treatment, cognitive status and the presence of ICDs. This could reflect an inability to learn from punishment or reward in PD-RBD, and could explain the increased risk to develop ICDs reported in those patients.

The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Iowa Gambling Task and Interpersonal Reactivity Index: Normative Data in an Italian Population Sample.

Social cognition and executive deficits are frequent in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Yet, there is a paucity of standardized domain-specific psychometric tools for the assessment of complex decision-making, social cognition (i.e., Theory of Mind), and empathy. To this aim, this study intended at providing normative data in an Italian population sample for the Iowa Gambling Task, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. The Iowa Gambling Task, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index were administered to 462 healthy Italian participants aged between 18 and 91years, considering demographic factors. A confirmatory factor analysis was run to test for unidimensionality. Normative values were derived by means of the Equivalent Scores method. Education predicted all tests' scores, age influenced scores at the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, gender predicted empathic abilities only. The three tests did not underpin a unidimensional structure. The present work provides demographically adjusted Italian normative data for a set of tests assessing real-life decision-making, emotion recognition and empathy, filling a gap within II-level, domain-specific, neuropsychological testing. For the first time, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index is proposed as an adjuvant neuropsychological tool, while the standardization of the Iowa Gambling Task offers a new scoring system for advantageous/disadvantageous choices.

Decision-Making Under Risk and Uncertainty by Substance Abusers and Healthy Controls.

Cognitive impairment characterized by high impulsivity and risk-taking has been correlated with substance-related disorders. However, it is unclear if the decision-making process is well known upon consideration of factors such as uncertainty environments, risk, and time manipulation in different decision-making procedures. The main objective of this study was to identify behavioral differences between substance abusers and healthy control participants in a behavioral test battery, including (1) two uncertainty decision-making tasks, the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART) and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT, trial 1–40); (2) three risk-taking tasks, the Columbia Card Task Hot version (CCT-hot), Columbia Card Task Cold version (CCT-cold), and the IGT (trial 41–100); and (3) an impulsivity task, the Delay Discounting task (DD). The second objective looked at how the six behavioral tests correlate. We worked with a sample of 54 adult participants (Substance abusers: n = 28; Healthy controls: n = 26). An anonymous survey website was created to execute all the cognitive tasks. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the groups in any of the tasks. However, the results showed an upward trend of impulsive (i.e., steeply discounting curve) and risk-taking behaviors (i.e., a low learning curve in IGT) in substance abuse participants. The factor analysis results showed four different main factors: (1) risk-taking task in the IGT (trial 40–100), (2) uncertainty task in BART, (3) impulsivity in DD, IGT (trial 1–40), and (4) deliberate process in the Columbia card task (cold and hot). We conclude that factors such as the uncertainty tasks in the BART and the first block of IGT trials, the risk cues in the CCT tasks (i.e., number of loss, number of gains, and loss cards), and the time to delivery in the DD task, can affect the complex decision-making process in both clinical and healthy groups.

High-Level Executive Functions: A Possible Role of Sex and Weight Condition in Planning and Decision-Making Performances.

Evidence indicates an association between executive functioning and increased weight, with different patterns ascribed to individual differences (sex, age, lifestyles). This study reports on the relationship between high-level executive functions and body weight. Sixty-five young adults participated in the study: 29 participants (14 males, 15 females) in the normal weight range; 36 participants (18 males, 18 females) in the overweight range. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Tower of London Task were administered to assess decision making and planning. Planning did not differ in individuals in the normal-weight and overweight groups, and no difference emerged between females and males. However, normal and overweight males and females had different patterns in decision making. On the long-term consequences index of the IGT, females reported lower scores than males. Males in the overweight range had a lower long-term consequences index on the IGT than normal-weight males, while this pattern did not emerge in females. These findings suggest that decision-making responses may differ in the overweight relative to healthy weight condition, with a different expression in males and females. This pattern should be considered in weight loss prevention strategies, possibly adopting different approaches in males and females.

Deciding advantageously after flipping a coin

Folk wisdom, advice columns, and pop culture suggest that when undecided, individuals may flip a coin – not to simply follow the suggestion, but to inspect their reaction to the outcome and then use the reaction to decide. While being intuitively appealing, it remains an open question whether this strategy results in advantageous decisions. Here we used an adapted version of the Iowa Gambling Task to test whether flipping a coin before making a decision may result in advantageous choices. Participants from the general public (N = 542) participated in the adapted Iowa Gambling Task. Results suggest that, under certain conditions, using a coin flip results in a higher likelihood to choose the objectively better option after 40 trials and a steeper learning curve throughout the game. Furthermore, after 40 trials, coin- compared to control-participants described themselves as more certain and the task as easier. This study is the first to show that flipping a coin may prove beneficial, objectively by leading to better decisions, and subjectively by resulting in reduced difficulty and higher certainty.

Functional connectivity in reward-related networks is associated with individual differences in gambling strategies in male Lister hooded rats.

Individuals with gambling disorder display deficits in decision-making in the Iowa Gambling Task. The rat Gambling Task (rGT) is a rodent analogue that can be used to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying gambling behaviour. The aim of this explorative study was to examine individual strategies in the rGT and investigate possible behavioural and neural correlates associated with gambling strategies. Thirty-two adult male Lister hooded rats underwent behavioural testing in the multivariate concentric square field™ (MCSF) and the novel cage tests, were trained on and performed the rGT and subsequently underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI). In the rGT, stable gambling strategies were found with subgroups of rats that preferred the suboptimal safest choice as well as the disadvantageous choice, that is, the riskiest gambling strategy. R-fMRI results revealed associations between gambling strategies and brain regions central for reward networks. Moreover, rats with risky gambling strategies differed from those with strategic and intermediate strategies in brain functional connectivity. No differences in behavioural profiles, as assessed with the MCSF and novel cage tests, were observed between the gambling strategy groups. In conclusion, stable individual differences in gambling strategies were found. Intrinsic functional connectivity using R-fMRI provides novel evidence to support the notion that individual differences in gambling strategies are associated with functional connectivity in brain regions important for reward networks.

Relationship between motor learning and gambling propensity in Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT Introduction The basal ganglia and related dopaminergic cortical areas are important neural systems underlying motor learning and are also implicated in impulse control disorders (ICDs). Motor learning impairments and ICDs are frequently observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nevertheless, the relationship between motor learning ability and ICDs has not been elucidated. Methods We examined the relationship between motor learning ability and gambling propensity, a possible symptom for prodromal ICDs, in PD patients. Fifty-nine PD patients without clinical ICDs and 43 normal controls (NC) were administered a visuomotor rotation perturbation task and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) to evaluate motor learning ability and gambling propensity, respectively. Participants also performed additional cognitive assessments and underwent brain perfusion SPECT imaging. Results Better motor learning ability was significantly correlated with lower IGT scores, i.e., higher gambling propensity, in PD patients but not in NC. The higher scores on assessments reflecting prefrontal lobe function and well-preserved blood perfusion in prefrontal areas were correlated with lower IGT scores along with better motor learning ability. Conclusions Our findings suggest that better motor learning ability and higher gambling propensity are based on better prefrontal functions, which are in accordance with the theory that the prefrontal cortex is one of the common essential regions for both motor learning and ICDs.

Decision-making and impulsivity in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of the study was to examine decision-making and impulsivity in patients with alcohol dependence with or without comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to controls. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 28 patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) only, 30 with ADS with ADHD, and 28 healthy controls were recruited. All the participants were evaluated on Iowa Gambling Task, Balloon Analogue Risk Task, and Barrett Impulsivity Scale to assess decision-making, risk-taking, and impulsivity respectively. Results Repeated measure ANOVA indicated that both ADS only and ADS with ADHD groups had poorer decision-making as compared to healthy controls, with small effect sizes. One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the maladaptive risk-taking across ADS only, ADS with ADHD and healthy control groups. Similarly, there were significant differences in attention impulsivity and motor impulsivity between the groups. No relationship was found between decision-making and impulsivity. Conclusions Alcohol dependent patients had impaired decision-making and impulsivity irrespective of comorbid ADHD. Thus, risk-taking and decision-making may be cognitive markers of alcohol dependence syndrome itself.

Six-month buprenorphine-naloxone treatment is associated with neurocognitive function improvement in opioid dependence.

Background and Aim:The number of longitudinal studies on cognitive functions in patients on buprenorphine-based agonist treatment is limited. Our objective was to assess the change in neurocognitive functions over the first 6 months of buprenorphine-naloxone (BNX) treatment for opioid dependence (OD) and compare cognitive functions on BNX and controls.Methods:We selected 60 patients with OD aged 18 to 55 years and 20 sex-matched controls; and excluded patients with other substance dependence, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), head injury, epilepsy, and severe mental illness. We assessed patients thrice: at baseline, 3, and 6 months and Controls once. Cognitive tests included Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), Iowa gambling task (IGT), trail making tests A and B (TMT-A and B), verbal and visual N-back test (NBT), and standard progressive matrices (SPM). We measured with-in group effect size with Cohen’s D (d).Results:A total of 24 participants completed at least one follow-up; 17 completed both follow-up assessments. All participants were men. At baseline, the patients performed worse than healthy controls in IGT, TMT-A, and B, and visual and verbal NBT. At 3 months, the performance of visual NBT improved significantly (d = 1.2 for NBT1; 1.3 for NBT2). At 6 months, additional performance improvements were seen in WCST (“perseverative error” d = 1.2), IGT (“net total score” d = 1.2), TMT-A (d = 1.1), and verbal NBT (“omission error” d = 1.7). Except for visual-NBT, results did not differ between patients and controls at both follow-ups.Conclusion:Cognitive flexibility, decision making, attention, working memory, and psychomotor speed showed improvements over 6 months of a stable dose of BNX.

Development of a neuropsychological assessment in smoking.

Smoking is one of the causes leading to the development of disease and mortality worldwide. One of the focuses of interest in this area is the impact of smoking on neuropsychological health. However, few studies provide instruments to assess executive functioning in smokers. The purpose of this study was to examine the viability of the internal structure of a neuropsychological battery for the assessment of executive function in smokers. A total of 171 smokers (Mage= 47.44, SDage= 8.48) were assessed. Executive functions were assessed at baseline with measures of inhibition (go/no go task and five digit test), updating (visual search and attention test and letter-number sequencing) and shifting (delay discounting task and Iowa gambling task). The exploratory factor analysis obtained a three-component solution of 59.6%. Establishing a first factor composed of visual search and attention test and letter-number sequencing, a second factor composed of delay discounting task and go/no go task and a third factor with Iowa gambling task and five digit test. The analysis of the internal structure reflected three factors which are consistent with the structure proposed by Miyake (2000).

Development of the Japanese version of the Iowa Gambling Task for PC and its equivalence to the English version

This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) using Psychology Experiment Building Language based on the English version. Additionally, we tested the equivalence of these versions using a biological equivalence test. We randomly assigned 63 undergraduate and graduate students from several Japanese universities to our parallel design experiment. We evaluated equivalence by determining differences between the logs of the number of cards chosen from the advantageous decks in the Japanese and English versions in five blocks. We defined an equivalence margin as ± 30% (log (0.70 = -0.36, log (1/0.70) = 0.36, for log-transformation). All two-sided 90% family-wise confidence intervals in the five blocks were within the equivalence margin. Our results confirmed the equivalence of the Japanese and English versions of the IGT. The Japanese version can be used with the compiled executables and source code without charge. Future comparative studies should evaluate the IGT on Japanese samples or between samples from Japan and other countries.

Is decision-making impairment an endophenotype of anorexia nervosa?

Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) show impaired decision-making ability, but it is still unclear if this is a trait marker (i.e., being associated with AN at any stage of the disease) or a state parameter of the disease (i.e., being present only in acutely ill patients), and if it has endophenotypic characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the endophenotypic, and state- or trait-associated nature of decision-making impairment in AN. Ninety-one patients with acute AN (A-AN), 90 unaffected relatives (UR), 23 patients remitted from AN (R-AN), and 204 healthy controls (HC) carried out the Iowa gambling task (IGT). Prospective valence learning (PVL) model was employed to distinguish the cognitive dimensions underlying the decision-making process, that is, learning, consistency, feedback sensitivity, and loss aversion. IGT performance and decision-making dimensions were compared among groups to assess whether they had endophenotypic (i.e., being present in A-AN, UR, and R-AN, but not in HC) and/or trait-associated features (i.e., present in A-AN and R-AN but not in HC). Patients with A-AN had lower performance at the IGT (p<0.01), while UR, R-AN, and HC had comparable results. PVL-feedback sensitivity was lower in patients with R-AN and A-AN than in HC (p<0.01). Alteration of decision-making ability did not show endophenotypic features. Impaired decision-making seems a state-associated characteristic of AN, resulting from the interplay between trait-associated low feedback sensitivity and state-associated features of the disease.

Visualization Tools for Monitoring and Debugging a Cognitive Architecture using CST

In this work we address the use of visualization tools for developing intelligent agents built with Cognitive Architectures (CAs). Unfortunately, there are just a few discussions about this issue in the CAs literature. We start by bringing a summary on how this topic is currently being addressed within the community and further introduce our efforts in building visualization tools for both debugging and aiding the understanding of the inner mechanisms of a CA. For this, we propose the MindViewer, a visualization tool for monitoring and debugging CAs constructed with CST, the Cognitive Systems Toolkit. MindViewer encompasses a variety of charts that are used to monitor the inner details of the agents’ mind. Its Web version allows inspect even complex data structures and customize their generated graphics. We exemplify their capabilities through a experimental application based on a robot simulation inspired in Iowa Gambling Task.

Simulation and modeling of human decision-making process through reinforcement learning based computational model involving past experiences

Experience plays a vital role in the decision-making (DM) process. In this paper simulation, modeling, and analysis of past experience over DM has been done using the Iowa gambling task (IGT). The Human DM process is very complex and difficult to model through computational methods because it is a subjective type of process and varies person-to-person. Therefore, this study is an attempt to simulate a DM model similar to the human DM process. For this collection of real data was done and was provided as input to the developed eight Reinforcement Learning (RL) models. The result shows that the performance of the model based on Prospect Utility (PU) learned with Decay Reinforcement Rule (DRI) and Trial Dependency Choice (TDC) is better as compared to other models. It is observed from the analysis of data and also validated that simulation and models output that the experienced group performs better than inexperienced.

Reward-based decision-making in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis pre- and post-surgery

BackgroundCorrect functioning of the reward processing system is critical for optimizing decision-making as well as preventing the development of addictions and/or neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, apathy, and anhedonia. Consequently, patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy due to unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE-UHS) represent an excellent opportunity to study the brain networks involved in this system. ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to evaluate decision-making and the electrophysiological correlates of feedback processing in a sample of mTLE-UHS patients, compared to healthy controls. In addition, we assessed the impact of mesial temporal lobe surgical resection on these processes, as well as general, neuropsychological functioning. Method17 mTLE-UHS patients and 17 matched healthy controls completed: [1] a computerized version of the Game of Dice Task, [2] a Standard Iowa Gambling Task, and [3] a modified ERP version of a probabilistic gambling task coupled with multichannel electroencephalography. Neuropsychological scores were also obtained both pre- and post-surgery. ResultsBehavioral analyses showed a pattern of increased risk for the mTLE-UHS group in decision-making under ambiguity compared to the control group. A decrease in the amplitude of the Feedback Related Negativity (FRN), a weaker effect of valence on delta power, and a general reduction of delta and theta power in the mTLE-UHS group, as compared to the control group, were also found. The beta-gamma activity associated with the delivery of positive reward was similar in both groups. Behavioral performance and electrophysiological measures did not worsen post-surgery. ConclusionsPatients with mTLE-UHS showed impairments in decision-making under ambiguity, particularly when they had to make decisions based on the outcomes of their choices, but not in decision-making under risk. No group differences were observed in decision-making when feedbacks were random. These results might be explained by the abnormal feedback processing seen in the EEG activity of patients with mTLE-UHS, and by concomitant impairments in working memory, and memory. These impairments may be linked to the disruption of mesial temporal lobe networks. Finally, feedback processing and decision-making under ambiguity were already affected in mTLE-UHS patients pre-surgery and did not show evidence of clear worsening post-surgery.

Computational basis of decision-making impairment in multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly associated with decision-making, neurocognitive impairments, and mood and motivational symptoms. However, their relationship may be obscured by traditional scoring methods. Objectives: To study the computational basis underlying decision-making impairments in MS and their interaction with neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric measures. Methods: Twenty-nine MS patients and 26 matched control subjects completed a computer version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Participants underwent neurocognitive evaluation using an expanded version of the Brief Repeatable Battery. Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis was used to estimate three established computational models to compare parameters between groups. Results: Patients showed increased learning rate and reduced loss-aversion during decision-making relative to control subjects. These alterations were associated with: (1) reduced net gains in the IGT; (2) processing speed, executive functioning and memory impairments; and (3) higher levels of depression and current apathy. Conclusion: Decision-making deficits in MS patients could be described by the interplay between latent computational processes, neurocognitive impairments, and mood/motivational symptoms.

Decision-making process and negative childhood experience in adolescents with autoagression

BACKGROUND. Analysis of the literature indicates the need for a detailed study of the features of the decision-making process, adverse experiences in childhood, the severity of depression in adolescents with truly suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior.&#x0D; AIM. To determine the level of depression, unfavorable childhood experience, the characteristics of the process of forming preferences, the choice of executive actions and the assessment of results in conditions of uncertainty in adolescents with suicidal attempts and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior.&#x0D; MATERIAL AND METHODS. From September 2019 to May 2020, clinical and experimental psychological methods (semi-structured interview, A. Beck Depression Scale, Columbian Suicidal Intentions Severity Scale, Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, Iowa Gambling Task) examined adolescents from14 to 17 years: 30 persons with suicidal self-harm (mean age 16.1 years, 26 girls, 4 boys) and 32 persons with non-suicidal self-harm (mean age 16.3 years, 26 girls, 6 boys). Statistical processing was carried out using the KolmogorovSmirnov and Liliefors tests, the Leuven test, the MannWhitney U-test, and the two-sided Fisher test.&#x0D; RESULTS. All examined patients showed manifestations of depression of different levels. In the group with suicidal attempts, the manifestations of depression were significantly more pronounced, and they also had significantly more adverse childhood experience factors. The decision-making process is more effective in individuals with non-suicidal self-injurious behavior than in the group with suicidal auto-aggression (although the difference does not reach statistical significance).&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS. Thus, we have determined the level of depression, unfavorable childhood experience, peculiarities of the process of formation of preferences, choice of executive actions and assessment of results in conditions of uncertainty in adolescents with suicidal attempts and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior.

Decision-making, interoceptive awareness and mindful attention awareness in male patients with alcohol use disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction Decision-making deficits in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may be partly related to their decreased interoceptive awareness (IA), which is associated with some aspects of mindfulness. Methods 52 abstinent male inpatients with AUD (current severity: moderate or severe) and 52 healthy male volunteers performed the heart rate tracking task and a computerised version of the Iowa gambling task (IGT). Trait mindfulness was evaluated with the mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS). Results Heartbeat perception (HBP), MAAS, and IGT scores of patients with AUD were significantly lower than those of healthy controls. The difference between groups with respect to IGT scores did not remain significant after controlling for the covariates, and HBP scores were linked significantly to the subjects’ IGT performance. HBP scores significantly predicted IGT scores of both the overall sample and patients. MAAS scores did not correlate significantly with HBP and IGT scores in either the patient or control group. Conclusion It is possible that IA plays a role in decision-making and decreased interoceptive accuracy is a predictor of impaired decision-making in individuals with AUD. More empirical data are needed to develop a better insight into the relationship between IA and multi-dimensional nature of mindfulness.

Impact of Perceived Stress and Immune Status on Decision-Making Abilities during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown.

The ability to make risky decisions in stressful contexts has been largely investigated in experimental settings. We examined this ability during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic, when in Italy people were exposed to a prolonged stress condition, mainly caused by a rigid lockdown. Participants among the general population completed two cognitive tasks, an Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), which measures individual risk/reward decision-making tendencies, and a Go/No-Go task (GNG), to test impulsivity, together with two questionnaires, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales. The Immune Status Questionnaire was additionally administered to explore the impact of the individual health status on decision making. The effect of the questionnaires scores on task performance was examined. The results showed that higher levels of perceived stress and a more self-reported vulnerable immune status were associated, separately, with less risky/more advantageous choices in the IGT in young male participants but with more risky/less advantageous choices in older male participants. These effects were not found in female participants. Impulsivity errors in the GNG were associated with more anxiety symptoms. These findings bring attention to the necessity of taking into account decision-making processes during stressful conditions, especially in the older and more physically vulnerable male population.