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Shaw SR, Horne KS, Piguet O, Ahmed RM, Whitton AE, Irish M. Profiles of motivational impairment and their relationship to functional decline in frontotemporal dementia. J Neurol 2024; 271:4963-4971. [PMID: 38758282 PMCID: PMC11319612 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12430-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Motivational disturbances are pervasive in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and impact negatively on everyday functioning. Despite mounting evidence of anhedonia in FTD, it remains unclear how such changes fit within the broader motivational symptom profile of FTD, or how anhedonia relates to functional outcomes. Here we sought to comprehensively characterize motivational disturbances in FTD and their respective relationships with functional impairment. A cross-sectional study design was used including 211 participants-68 behavioral-variant FTD (bvFTD), 32 semantic dementia (SD), 43 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 68 healthy older control participants. Anhedonia severity was measured using the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale while severity of apathy was assessed across Emotional, Executive, and Initiation dimensions using the Dimensional Apathy Scale. Functional impairment was established using the FTD Functional Rating Scale (FRS). Distinct motivational profiles emerged in each dementia syndrome: a domain-general motivational impairment in bvFTD; a predominantly anhedonic profile in SD; and more pronounced initiation and executive apathy in AD. Correlation analyses revealed differential associations between motivational symptoms and severity of functional impairment in each group. Executive apathy was associated with functional impairment in bvFTD, while anhedonia was strongly correlated with functional decline in SD. Finally, executive and emotional apathy were associated with functional decline in AD. Our study indicates distinct profiles of apathy and anhedonia in FTD syndromes, which in turn are differentially associated with functional decline. This detailed characterization of motivational phenotypes can inform patient stratification for targeted interventions to improve functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhán R Shaw
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristina S Horne
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebekah M Ahmed
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Memory and Cognition Clinic, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexis E Whitton
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Muireann Irish
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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2
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Terenzi D, Silvetti M, Zoccolan G, Rumiati RI, Aiello M. The impact of subclinical psychotic symptoms on delay and effort discounting: Insights from behavioral, computational, and electrophysiological methods. Schizophr Res 2024; 271:271-280. [PMID: 39068879 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to value rewards is crucial for adaptive behavior and is influenced by the time and effort required to obtain them. Impairments in these computations have been observed in patients with schizophrenia and may be present in individuals with subclinical psychotic symptoms (PS). METHODS In this study, we employed delay and effort-discounting tasks with food rewards in thirty-nine participants divided into high and low levels of PS. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of effort-discounting through computational modelling of dopamine prefrontal and subcortical circuits and the electrophysiological biomarker of both delay and effort-discounting alterations through resting-state frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA). RESULTS Results revealed greater delay discounting in the High PS group compared to the Low PS group but no differences in the effort discounting task. However, in this task, the same levels of estimated dopamine release were associated with a lower willingness to exert effort for high-calorie food rewards in High PS participants compared to Low PS participants. Although there were no significant differences in FAA between the High PS and Low PS groups, FAA was significantly associated with the severity of participants' negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that the dysfunction in temporal and effort cost computations, seen in patients with schizophrenia, may be present in individuals with subclinical PS. These findings provide valuable insight into the early vulnerability markers (behavioral, computational, and electrophysiological) for psychosis, which may aid in the development of preventive interventions. These findings are preliminary and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Terenzi
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR 7289 CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
| | - Massimo Silvetti
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Lab (CTNLab), Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Raffaella I Rumiati
- Area of Neuroscience, SISSA, Trieste, Italy; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilena Aiello
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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3
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Bi R, Zhao Y, Li S, Xu F, Peng W, Tan S, Zhang D. Brain stimulation over the left DLPFC enhances motivation for effortful rewards in patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2024; 356:414-423. [PMID: 38640975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amotivation is a typical feature in major depressive disorder (MDD), which produces reduced willingness to exert effort. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a crucial structure in goal-directed actions and therefore is a potential target in modulating effortful motivation. However, it remains unclear whether the intervention is effective for patients with MDD. METHODS We employed transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), computational modelling and event-related potentials (ERPs) to reveal the causal relationship between the left DLPFC and motivation for effortful rewards in MDD. Fifty patients underwent both active and sham TMS sessions, each followed by performing an Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task, during which participants chose and implemented between low-effort/low-reward and high-effort/high-reward options. RESULTS The patients showed increased willingness to exert effort for rewards during the DLPFC facilitated session, compared with the sham session. They also had a trend in larger P3 amplitude for motivated attention toward chosen options, larger CNV during preparing for effort exertion, and larger SPN during anticipating a high reward. Besides, while behavior indexes for effortful choices were negatively related to depression severity in the sham session, this correlation was weakened in the active stimulation session. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide behavioral, computational, and neural evidence for the left DLPFC on effortful motivation for rewards. Facilitated DLPFC improves motor preparation and value anticipation after making decisions especially for highly effortful rewards in MDD. Facilitated DLPFC also has a potential function in enhancing motivated attention during cost-benefit trade-off. This neuromodulation effect provides a potential treatment for improving motivation in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Bi
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yanli Zhao
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Sijin Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Shenzhen Yingchi Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Weiwei Peng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shuping Tan
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China.
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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Lopez-Gamundi P, Mas-Herrero E, Marco-Pallares J. Disentangling effort from probability of success: Temporal dynamics of frontal midline theta in effort-based reward processing. Cortex 2024; 176:94-112. [PMID: 38763111 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The ability to weigh a reward against the effort required to acquire it is critical for decision-making. However, extant experimental paradigms oftentimes confound increased effort demand with decreased reward probability, thereby obscuring neural correlates underlying these cognitive processes. To resolve this issue, we designed novel tasks that disentangled probability of success - and therefore reward probability - from effort demand. In Experiment 1, reward magnitude and effort demand were varied while reward probability was kept constant. In Experiment 2, effort demand and reward probability were varied while reward magnitude remained fixed. Electroencephalogram (EEG) data was recorded to explore how frontal midline theta (FMT; an electrophysiological index of mPFC function) and component P3 (an index of incentive salience) respond to effort demand, and reward magnitude and probability. We found no evidence that FMT tracked effort demands or net value during cue evaluation. At feedback, however, FMT power was enhanced for high compared to low effort trials, but not modulated by reward magnitude or probability. Conversely, P3 was sensitive to reward magnitude and probability at both cue and feedback phases and only integrated expended effort costs at feedback, such that P3 amplitudes continued to scale with reward magnitude and probability but were also increased for high compared to low effort reward feedback. These findings suggest that, when likelihood of success is equal, FMT power does not track net value of prospective effort-based rewards. Instead, expended cognitive effort potentiates FMT power and enhances the saliency of rewards at feedback. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The way the brain weighs rewards against the effort required to achieve them is critical for understanding motivational disorders. Current paradigms confound increased effort demand with decreased reward probability, making it difficult to disentangle neural activity associated with effort costs from those associated with reward likelihood. Here, we explored the temporal dynamics of effort-based reward (via frontal midline theta (FMT) and component P3) while participants underwent a novel paradigm that kept probability of reward constant between mental effort demand conditions. Our findings suggest that the FMT does not track net value and that expended effort enhances, instead of attenuates, the saliency of rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Lopez-Gamundi
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
| | - Ernest Mas-Herrero
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Josep Marco-Pallares
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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Isıklı S, Bektaş AB, Tamer Ş, Atabay M, Arkalı BD, Bağcı B, Bayrakcı A, Sebold M, Zorlu N. Effort-cost decision-making associated with negative symptoms in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Behav Brain Res 2024; 467:114996. [PMID: 38609021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Motivational deficits and reduced goal-directed behavior for external rewards have long been considered an important features of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). Negative symptoms have also a high prevalence in bipolar disorder (BP). We used a transdiagnostic approach in order to examine association between negative symptoms and effort allocation for monetary rewards. 41 patients with SCZ and 34 patients with BP were enrolled in the study along with 41 healthy controls (HC). Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT) was used to measure subjects' effort allocation for monetary rewards. Generalized estimating equation models were used to analyze EEfRT choice behavior. Negative symptoms were assessed using the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS). SCZ and BP groups expended lower effort to obtain a monetary rewards compared to HC. Severity of negative symptoms was negatively correlated with EEfRT performance in both diagnostic groups. Each diagnostic group showed lower effort allocation for monetary rewards compared to HC suggesting reduced motivation for monetary rewards. In addition, our results suggest that abnormal effort-based decision-making might be a transdiagnostic factor underlying negative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serhan Isıklı
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aslıhan Bilge Bektaş
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Şule Tamer
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Murat Atabay
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bilgesu Deniz Arkalı
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Başak Bağcı
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adem Bayrakcı
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Miriam Sebold
- Department of Business and Law, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany
| | - Nabi Zorlu
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
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Wen H, Wu M, Wang Z, Gao B, Zheng Y. Aberrant effort-based reward dynamics in anhedonia. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae193. [PMID: 38741268 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Anhedonia is a transdiagnostic symptom and associated with a spectrum of reward deficits among which the motivational dysfunction is poorly understood. Previous studies have established the abnormal cost-benefit trade-off as a contributor to motivational deficits in anhedonia and its relevant psychiatric diseases. However, it remains elusive how the anhedonic neural dynamics underlying reward processing are modulated by effort expenditure. Using an effort-based monetary incentive delay task, the current event-related potential study examined the neural dynamics underlying the effort-reward interplay in anhedonia using a nonclinical sample who scored high or low on an anhedonia questionnaire. We found that effort prospectively decreased reward effect on the contingent variation negativity and the target-P3 but retrospectively enhanced outcome effect on the feedback-P3 following effort expenditure. Compared to the low-anhedonia group, the high-anhedonia group displayed a diminished effort effect on the target-P3 during effort expenditure and an increased effort-enhancement effect for neutral trials during the feedback-P3 period following effort expenditure. Our findings suggest that anhedonia is associated with an inefficient control and motivation allocation along the efforted-based reward dynamics from effort preparation to effort production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailing Wen
- Department of Psychology, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Menglin Wu
- Department of Psychology, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- Department of Psychology, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Psychology, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Ya Zheng
- Department of Psychology, Guangzhou University, 230 Wai Huan Xi Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, China
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7
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Bismark AW, Mikhael T, Mitchell K, Holden J, Granholm E. Pupillary responses as a biomarker of cognitive effort and the impact of task difficulty on reward processing in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2024; 267:216-222. [PMID: 38569395 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia robustly predict functional outcomes but remain relatively resistant to available treatments. Better measures of negative symptoms, especially motivational deficits, are needed to better understand these symptoms and improve treatment development. Recent research shows promise in linking behavioral effort tasks to motivational negative symptoms, reward processing deficits, and defeatist attitudes, but few studies account for individual or group (patient v. control) differences in cognitive ability to perform the tasks. Individuals with poorer abilities might be less motivated to perform tasks because they find them more difficult to perform. This study used a personalized digit span task to control task difficulty while measuring task effort via pupillary responses (greater dilation indicates greater cognitive effort) at varying monetary rewards ($1 & $2). Participants with schizophrenia (N = 34) and healthy controls (N = 41) performed a digit span task with personalized max span lengths and easy (max- 2 digits) and overload (max+ 2 digits) conditions. Consistent with many studies, pupillary responses (cognitive effort) increased with greater difficulty until exceeding capacity. A similar pattern of reward responsivity was seen in both groups, such that greater reward increased dilation (effort) comparably for both groups when difficulty was within capacity. Neither patients nor controls exerted increased effort for greater reward when difficulty exceeded capacity. In patients, positive relationships were found between pupil dilation and defeatist performance beliefs if task difficulty was within capacity; a relationship that reversed if the task was too difficult. The findings demonstrate the importance of accounting for cognitive capacity and task difficulty when evaluating motivation and reward sensitivity and illustrate the utility of pupillary responses as an objective measure of effort in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Bismark
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, USA
| | - Tanya Mikhael
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, USA; Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, USA
| | - Kyle Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA; Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, USA
| | - Jason Holden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Eric Granholm
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, USA.
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8
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Zhao W, Cannon TD. Moral learning and positive schizotypy: Social cognitive mechanisms in psychosis- proneness. Schizophr Res 2024; 266:156-164. [PMID: 38402656 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delusional thoughts such as paranoia and conspiratorial thinking reflect beliefs in others' intentions to do harm. Given the integral role of harm evaluation in moral cognition, a better understanding of how psychosis-prone individuals process others' moral characters may provide insights into social cognitive mechanisms of these types of delusions. METHODS An online sample of 293 participants was drawn from the general population, using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants performed a moral inference task, where they predicted and judged the binary choices of two fictitious agents ("good" or "bad") to impose harm under different levels of financial incentives. An investment game involving the same agents then examined participants' trust behavior. Psychosis-proneness was measured with the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale Brief Edition. RESULTS A set of multiple regressions showed that positive schizotypy was associated with a lower yet more confident pre-experimental expectation of the agent's moral character, lower prediction accuracy of the agent's harm preferences, less belief revision, and undifferentiated perception of the good and bad agents' characters. Positive schizotypy was also related to higher expectations for reciprocity in the investment game, regardless of agent characters. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that inflexible beliefs associated with psychosis-proneness extend beyond negative prior expectations, also reflecting difficulties in moral learning. The resulting undifferentiated moral impressions might contribute to undue suspicion of benevolent individuals and increased gullibility to malicious ones, potentially further strengthening conspiratorial beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanchen Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, United States of America.
| | - Tyrone D Cannon
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, United States of America
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Whitton AE, Cooper JA, Merchant JT, Treadway MT, Lewandowski KE. Using Computational Phenotyping to Identify Divergent Strategies for Effort Allocation Across the Psychosis Spectrum. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae024. [PMID: 38498838 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Disturbances in effort-cost decision-making have been highlighted as a potential transdiagnostic process underpinning negative symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. However, recent studies using computational phenotyping show that individuals employ a range of strategies to allocate effort, and use of different strategies is associated with unique clinical and cognitive characteristics. Building on prior work in schizophrenia, this study evaluated whether effort allocation strategies differed in individuals with distinct psychotic disorders. STUDY DESIGN We applied computational modeling to effort-cost decision-making data obtained from individuals with psychotic disorders (n = 190) who performed the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task. The sample included 91 individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, 90 individuals with psychotic bipolar disorder, and 52 controls. STUDY RESULTS Different effort allocation strategies were observed both across and within different disorders. Relative to individuals with psychotic bipolar disorder, a greater proportion of individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder did not use reward value or probability information to guide effort allocation. Furthermore, across disorders, different effort allocation strategies were associated with specific clinical and cognitive features. Those who did not use reward value or probability information to guide effort allocation had more severe positive and negative symptoms, and poorer cognitive and community functioning. In contrast, those who only used reward value information showed a trend toward more severe positive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that similar deficits in effort-cost decision-making may arise from different computational mechanisms across the psychosis spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis E Whitton
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica A Cooper
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jaisal T Merchant
- Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Michael T Treadway
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kathryn E Lewandowski
- Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Culbreth AJ, Moran EK, Mahaphanit W, Erickson MA, Boudewyn MA, Frank MJ, Barch DM, MacDonald AW, Ragland JD, Luck SJ, Silverstein SM, Carter CS, Gold JM. A Transdiagnostic Study of Effort-Cost Decision-Making in Psychotic and Mood Disorders. Schizophr Bull 2024; 50:339-348. [PMID: 37901911 PMCID: PMC10919776 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that effort-cost decision-making (ECDM), the estimation of work required to obtain reward, may be a relevant framework for understanding motivational impairment in psychotic and mood pathology. Specifically, research has suggested that people with psychotic and mood pathology experience effort as more costly than controls, and thus pursue effortful goals less frequently. This study examined ECDM across psychotic and mood pathology. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that patient groups would show reduced willingness to expend effort compared to controls. STUDY DESIGN People with schizophrenia (N = 33), schizoaffective disorder (N = 28), bipolar disorder (N = 39), major depressive disorder (N = 40), and controls (N = 70) completed a physical ECDM task. Participants decided between completing a low-effort or high-effort option for small or larger rewards, respectively. Reward magnitude, reward probability, and effort magnitude varied trial-by-trial. Data were analyzed using standard and hierarchical logistic regression analyses to assess the subject-specific contribution of various factors to choice. Negative symptoms were measured with a clinician-rated interview. STUDY RESULTS There was a significant effect of group, driven by reduced choice of high-effort options in schizophrenia. Hierarchical logistic regression revealed that reduced choice of high-effort options in schizophrenia was driven by weaker contributions of probability information. Use of reward information was inversely associated with motivational impairment in schizophrenia. Surprisingly, individuals with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder did not differ from controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide support for ECDM deficits in schizophrenia. Additionally, differences between groups in ECDM suggest a seemingly similar behavioral phenotype, reduced motivation, could arise from disparate mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Culbreth
- Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Erin K Moran
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Wasita Mahaphanit
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, USA
| | - Molly A Erickson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Megan A Boudewyn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA
| | - Michael J Frank
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistics, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, USA
| | | | - J Daniel Ragland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, USA
| | - Steven J Luck
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, USA
| | - Steven M Silverstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA
| | - Cameron S Carter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, USA
| | - James M Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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11
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Greš A, Šagud M, Dickov A. The effect of vortioxetine on anhedonia in patients with schizophrenia. Int J Psychiatry Med 2024; 59:139-152. [PMID: 37647498 DOI: 10.1177/00912174231199925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anhedonia is a common symptom of depression, but is also a negative symptom of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vortioxetine on anhedonia in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS A total of 120 patients with schizophrenia in remission who met inclusion criteria were randomized 1:1 by the envelope method into intervention and control groups. All participants in both groups were divided into three subgroups based on the antipsychotic therapy they were receiving (olanzapine, risperidone, or aripiprazole). Vortioxetine was administered to those in the intervention group at a fixed dose of 10 mg per day. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), and Chapman Scale for Social and Physical Anhedonia (CSPA) were administered. The study lasted 12 weeks. Participants were assessed twice: At baseline and at the end of the study. Six participants dropped out, with 114 completing the trial. FINDINGS Vortioxetine treatment had a significant effect on level of physical anhedonia. The treatment interaction was also statistically significant, but with a relatively small effect (F = 3.17, P < .05; η2 = .061). Vortioxetine treatment had a particularly strong effect on the level of social anhedonia. The interaction between the treatment and the type of antipsychotics was also statistically significant with a small effect (F = 5.04, P < 0. 01; η2 = .091). CONCLUSION The combination of olanzapine and vortioxetine was found to be the best option to reduce symptoms of social and physical anhedonia in these patients with remitted schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alen Greš
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Šagud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aleksandra Dickov
- Department of Psychiatry, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
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Shao YX, Wang LL, Zhou HY, Yi ZH, Liu S, Yan C. Dampened motivation in schizophrenia: evidence from a novel effort-based decision-making task in social scenarios. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-024-01761-8. [PMID: 38413455 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01761-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Apathy represents a significant manifestation of negative symptoms within individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SCZ) and exerts a profound impact on their social relationships. However, the specific implications of this motivational deficit in social scenarios have yet to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to examine effort-based decision-making in social scenarios and its relation to apathy symptoms in SCZ patients. We initially recruited a group of 50 healthy participants (16 males) to assess the validity of the paradigm. Subsequently, we recruited 45 individuals diagnosed with SCZ (24 males) and 49 demographically-matched healthy controls (HC, 25 males) for the main study. The Mock Job Interview Task was developed to measure effort-based decision-making in social scenarios. The proportion of hard-task choice and a range of subjective ratings were obtained to examine potential between-group differences. SCZ patients were less likely than HC to choose the hard task with strict interviewers, and this group difference was significant when the hard-task reward value was medium and high. More severe apathy symptoms were significantly correlated with an overall reduced likelihood of making a hard-task choice. When dividing the jobs into two categories based on the levels of social engagement needed, SCZ patients were less willing to expend effort to pursue a potential offer for jobs requiring higher social engagement. Our findings indicated impaired effort-based decision-making in SCZ can be generalized from the monetary/nonsocial to a more ecologically social dimension. Our findings affirm the critical role of aberrant effort allocation on negative symptoms, and may facilitate the development of targeted clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xin Shao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE and STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Room 413, Building Junxiu, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
- Leshan Hi-Tech Zone Jiaxiang Foreign Languages School, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling-Ling Wang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han-Yu Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng-Hui Yi
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE and STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Room 413, Building Junxiu, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE and STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Room 413, Building Junxiu, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China.
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Bustamante LA, Oshinowo T, Lee JR, Tong E, Burton AR, Shenhav A, Cohen JD, Daw ND. Effort Foraging Task reveals positive correlation between individual differences in the cost of cognitive and physical effort in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221510120. [PMID: 38064507 PMCID: PMC10723129 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221510120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Effort-based decisions, in which people weigh potential future rewards against effort costs required to achieve those rewards involve both cognitive and physical effort, though the mechanistic relationship between them is not yet understood. Here, we use an individual differences approach to isolate and measure the computational processes underlying effort-based decisions and test the association between cognitive and physical domains. Patch foraging is an ecologically valid reward rate maximization problem with well-developed theoretical tools. We developed the Effort Foraging Task, which embedded cognitive or physical effort into patch foraging, to quantify the cost of both cognitive and physical effort indirectly, by their effects on foraging choices. Participants chose between harvesting a depleting patch, or traveling to a new patch that was costly in time and effort. Participants' exit thresholds (reflecting the reward they expected to receive by harvesting when they chose to travel to a new patch) were sensitive to cognitive and physical effort demands, allowing us to quantify the perceived effort cost in monetary terms. The indirect sequential choice style revealed effort-seeking behavior in a minority of participants (preferring high over low effort) that has apparently been missed by many previous approaches. Individual differences in cognitive and physical effort costs were positively correlated, suggesting that these are perceived and processed in common. We used canonical correlation analysis to probe the relationship of task measures to self-reported affect and motivation, and found correlations of cognitive effort with anxiety, cognitive function, behavioral activation, and self-efficacy, but no similar correlations with physical effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Bustamante
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ08544
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO63130
| | - Temitope Oshinowo
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ08544
| | - Jeremy R. Lee
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ08544
| | - Elizabeth Tong
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ08544
| | - Allison R. Burton
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ08544
| | - Amitai Shenhav
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI02912
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI02906
| | - Jonathan D. Cohen
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ08544
| | - Nathaniel D. Daw
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ08544
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14
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Luther L, Jarvis SA, Spilka MJ, Strauss GP. Global reward processing deficits predict negative symptoms transdiagnostically and transphasically in a severe mental illness-spectrum sample. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023:10.1007/s00406-023-01714-7. [PMID: 38051397 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01714-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Reward processing impairments are a key factor associated with negative symptoms in those with severe mental illnesses. However, past findings are inconsistent regarding which reward processing components are impaired and most strongly linked to negative symptoms. The current study examined the hypothesis that these mixed findings may be the result of multiple reward processing pathways (i.e., equifinality) to negative symptoms that cut across diagnostic boundaries and phases of illness. Participants included healthy controls (n = 100) who served as a reference sample and a severe mental illness-spectrum sample (n = 92) that included psychotic-like experiences, clinical high-risk for psychosis, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia participants. All participants completed tasks measuring four RDoC Positive Valence System constructs: value representation, reinforcement learning, effort-cost computation, and hedonic reactivity. A k-means cluster analysis of the severe mental illness-spectrum samples identified three clusters with differential reward processing profiles that were characterized by: (1) global reward processing deficits (22.8%), (2) selective impairments in hedonic reactivity alone (40.2%), and (3) preserved reward processing (37%). Elevated negative symptoms were only observed in the global reward processing cluster. All clusters contained participants from each clinical group, and the distribution of these groups did not significantly differ among the clusters. Findings identified one pathway contributing to negative symptoms that was transdiagnostic and transphasic. Future work further characterizing divergent pathways to negative symptoms may help to improve symptom trajectories and personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Sierra A Jarvis
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Michael J Spilka
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Gregory P Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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15
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Le TP, Green MF, Wynn JK, Iglesias JE, Franco RL, Kopelowicz A, Kern RS. Effort-based decision-making as a determinant of supported employment outcomes in psychotic disorders. Schizophr Res 2023; 262:149-155. [PMID: 37979418 PMCID: PMC10923523 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with a heavy economic burden in the United States that is partly due to the high rates of chronic unemployment. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidenced-based type of supported employment that can improve job obtainment and work outcomes in psychotic disorders. Outcomes vary widely and a persistent challenge for IPS is low levels of engagement in the initial job search phase. Past studies have focused on interview-based motivation deficits as a key determinant of poor treatment engagement and work outcomes in schizophrenia. New validated performance-based measures of motivation, including effort-based decision-making (EBDM) tasks, may explain supported employment outcomes and provide insights into individual differences in IPS outcomes. This study investigated the degree to which IPS engagement (i.e., number of sessions attended during the first four months of service delivery) was related to baseline interview-based motivation deficits and performance on three EBDM tasks - two tasks of physical effort and one of cognitive effort (i.e., Balloon Task, Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task, Deck Choice Effort Task) - in a sample (N = 47) of people with a psychotic disorder. Results indicated that the level of EBDM performance, specifically on the Balloon Task, predicted IPS engagement, accounting for an additional 17 % of the variance above and beyond interview-based motivation deficits (total R2 = 24 %). Overall, these findings suggest that addressing motivational deficits in effort-based decision-making may be beneficial to IPS engagement, which in turn may improve the trajectory of work outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh P Le
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America; Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
| | - Michael F Green
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America; Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Jonathan K Wynn
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America; Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Julio E Iglesias
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Richard L Franco
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Alex Kopelowicz
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Robert S Kern
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America; Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
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16
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Sklar AL, Matinrazm S, Ren X, Chlpka L, Curtis M, Coffman BA, Salisbury DF. Longitudinal Investigation of Auditory Dynamic Range Deficits in Early Psychosis and its Relationship to Negative Symptoms. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:1508-1517. [PMID: 37260356 PMCID: PMC10686334 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Despite accounting for significant disease morbidity in schizophrenia, the neuropathological basis of negative symptoms remains poorly understood and options for treatment limited. Our recent study identified robust associations between diminished auditory cortex (AC) dynamic range and social functioning impairments and negative symptoms in first episode psychosis (FESz). The current investigation examined the progression of these relationships 4-8 months from baseline testing. STUDY DESIGN Twenty-six FESz and 38 healthy controls (HC) were tested at baseline and follow-up. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was recorded during binaural presentation of tones (75, 80, and 85 dB). Assessments included the MATRICS cognitive consensus battery (MCCB) and Global Functioning: Role and Social scales (GFR/GFS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. STUDY RESULTS Overall, FESz exhibited a blunted response to increasing tone intensity relative to HC. While this deficit did not change over time at the group level, recovery of right hemisphere AC dynamic range (85-75 dB response) among FESz individuals was associated with reductions in negative symptoms (ρ = -0.50). Diminished dynamic range was also associated with impaired GFS (ρ = 0.65), GFR (ρ = 0.51), and MCCB (ρ = 0.49) at baseline and increased negative symptoms at baseline (ρ = -0.53) and follow-up (ρ = -0.51). CONCLUSION Despite persistent dynamic range impairment in FESz as a group, individual recovery of this AC response property was associated with significant reduction in negative symptoms. Identification of a functional neural deficit that tracts progression of negative symptoms during a critical period for disease modification is essential to the management of these devastating and historically treatment refractory symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo L Sklar
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sayna Matinrazm
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Xi Ren
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Lydia Chlpka
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Mark Curtis
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Brian A Coffman
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Dean F Salisbury
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Pittsburgh, PA
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17
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Didier PR, Moore TM, Calkins ME, Prettyman G, Levinson T, Savage C, de Moraes Leme LFV, Kohler CG, Kable J, Satterthwaite T, Gur RC, Gur RE, Wolf DH. Evaluation of a new intrinsic and extrinsic motivation scale in youth with psychosis spectrum symptoms. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 127:152413. [PMID: 37696094 PMCID: PMC10644398 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairment in intrinsic motivation (IM), the drive to satisfy internal desires like mastery, may play a key role in disability in psychosis. However, we have limited knowledge regarding relative impairments in IM compared to extrinsic motivation (EM) or general motivation (GM), in part due to limitations in existing measures. METHODS Here we address this gap using a novel Trait Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation self-report scale in a sample of n = 243 participants including those with schizophrenia, psychosis-risk, and healthy controls. Each of the 7 IM and 6 EM items used a 7-point Likert scale assessing endorsement of dispositional statements. Bifactor analyses of these items yielded distinct IM, EM, and GM factor scores. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined in relation to General Causality Orientation Scale (GCOS-CP) and Quality of Life 3-item IM measure (QLS-IM). Utility was assessed in relation to psychosis-spectrum (PS) status and CAINS clinical amotivation. RESULTS IM and EM showed acceptable inter-item consistency (IM: α = 0.88; EM: α = 0.66); the bifactor model exhibited fit that varied from good to borderline to inadequate depending on the specific fit metric (SRMR = 0.038, CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.106 ± 0.014). IM scores correlated with established IM measures: GCOS-CP Autonomy (rho = 0.38, p < 0.01) and QLS-IM (rho = 0.29, p < 0.01). Supporting discriminant validity, IM did not correlate with GCOS-CP Control (rho = -0.14, p > 0.05). Two-year stability in an available longitudinal subset (n = 35) was strong (IM: rho = 0.64, p < 0.01; EM: rho = 0.55, p < 0.01). Trait IM was lower in PS youth (t = 4.24, p < 0.01), and correlated with clinical amotivation (rho = -0.36, p < 0.01); EM did not show significant clinical associations. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the clinical relevance of IM in psychosis risk. They also provide preliminary support for the reliability, validity and utility of this new Trait IM-EM scale, which addresses a measurement gap and can facilitate identification of neurobehavioral and clinical correlates of IM deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige R Didier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Tyler M Moore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn-CHOP Lifespan Brain Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Monica E Calkins
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn-CHOP Lifespan Brain Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Greer Prettyman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tess Levinson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Chloe Savage
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Christian G Kohler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joseph Kable
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Theodore Satterthwaite
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn-CHOP Lifespan Brain Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Lifespan Informatics and Neuroimaging Center (PennLINC), Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ruben C Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn-CHOP Lifespan Brain Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Raquel E Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn-CHOP Lifespan Brain Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel H Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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18
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Luther L, Westbrook A, Ayawvi G, Ruiz I, Raugh IM, Chu AOK, Chang WC, Strauss GP. The role of defeatist performance beliefs on cognitive effort-cost decision-making in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2023; 261:216-224. [PMID: 37801740 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Impairments in effort-cost decision-making have been consistently observed in people with schizophrenia (SZ) and may be an important mechanism of negative symptoms. However, the processes that give rise to impairments in effort-cost decision-making are unclear, leading to limited progress in identifying the most relevant treatment targets. Drawing from cognitive models of negative symptoms and goal-directed behavior, this study aimed to examine how and under what type of task conditions defeatist performance beliefs contribute to these decision-making processes. Outpatients with SZ (n = 30) and healthy controls (CN; n = 28) completed a cognitive effort allocation task, the Cognitive Effort-Discounting (COGED) task, which assesses participants' willingness to exert cognitive effort for monetary rewards based on parametrically varied working memory demands (completing N-back levels). Results showed that although participants with SZ demonstrated reduced willingness to work for rewards across N-back levels compared to CN participants, they showed less choice modulation across different N-back conditions. However, among SZ participants with greater defeatist performance beliefs, there was a reduced willingness to choose the high effort option at higher N-back levels (N-back levels 3, 4, and 5 versus 2-back). Results suggest that compared to CN, the SZ group's subjective willingness to expend effort largely did not dynamically adjust as cognitive load increased. However, defeatist beliefs may undermine willingness to expend cognitive effort, especially when cognitive task demands are high. These beliefs may be a viable treatment target to improve effort-cost decision-making impairments in people with SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | | | - Gifty Ayawvi
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ivan Ruiz
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ian M Raugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Angel On Ki Chu
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Wing Chung Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong; Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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19
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Huang J, Wang Y, Niu Y, Lui SSY, Hui L, Chan RCK. Revisiting reward impairments in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis for neuroimaging findings. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7189-7202. [PMID: 36994747 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal reward functioning is central to anhedonia and amotivation symptoms of schizophrenia (SCZ). Reward processing encompasses a series of psychological components. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the brain dysfunction related to reward processing of individuals with SCZ spectrum disorders and risks, covering multiple reward components. METHODS After a systematic literature search, 37 neuroimaging studies were identified and divided into four groups based on their target psychology components (i.e. reward anticipation, reward consumption, reward learning, effort computation). Whole-brain Seed-based d Mapping (SDM) meta-analyses were conducted for all included studies and each component. RESULTS The meta-analysis for all reward-related studies revealed reduced functional activation across the SCZ spectrum in the striatum, orbital frontal cortex, cingulate cortex, and cerebellar areas. Meanwhile, distinct abnormal patterns were found for reward anticipation (decreased activation of the cingulate cortex and striatum), reward consumption (decreased activation of cerebellum IV/V areas, insula and inferior frontal gyri), and reward learning processing (decreased activation of the striatum, thalamus, cerebellar Crus I, cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and parietal and occipital areas). Lastly, our qualitative review suggested that decreased activation of the ventral striatum and anterior cingulate cortex was also involved in effort computation. CONCLUSIONS These results provide deep insights on the component-based neuro-psychopathological mechanisms for anhedonia and amotivation symptoms of the SCZ spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinghao Zhang
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jia Huang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanzhe Niu
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Li Hui
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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20
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Saleh Y, Jarratt-Barnham I, Petitet P, Fernandez-Egea E, Manohar SG, Husain M. Negative symptoms and cognitive impairment are associated with distinct motivational deficits in treatment resistant schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4831-4841. [PMID: 37626135 PMCID: PMC10914595 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02232-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motivational deficits are a central feature of the negative syndrome in schizophrenia. They have consistently been associated with reduced willingness to expend physical effort in return for monetary rewards on effort based decision making (EBDM) paradigms. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying such altered performance are not well characterised, and it remains unclear if they are driven purely by negative symptoms, or also in part by cognitive impairment, antipsychotic treatment or even positive symptoms. Here we investigated the impact of all these factors using a paradigm that has not previously been used to measure EBDM in schizophrenia. METHODS Forty treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS) patients on clozapine and matched controls (N = 80) completed a well validated EBDM task which offers monetary rewards in return for physical effort. Choice and reaction time data was analysed using logistic regressions, as well as Bayesian hierarchical drift diffusion modelling (HDDM). Behavioural parameters were compared between groups and their association with negative symptoms, cognitive function and serum clozapine levels were assessed. RESULTS Overall, TRS patients accepted significantly less offers than controls during effort-based decision making, suggesting they were less motivated. They demonstrated reduced sensitivity to increasing rewards, but surprisingly were also less averse to increasing effort. Despite a positive correlation between negative symptoms and cognitive function in TRS, reward sensitivity was associated only with cognitive performance. In contrast, reduced effort aversion correlated with negative symptom severity. Clozapine levels and positive symptoms were not associated with either behavioural parameter. CONCLUSION Motivational deficits in TRS are characterised by both diminished reward sensitivity and reduced effort aversion during EBDM. Cognitive dysfunction and negative symptom severity account for distinct aspects of these behavioural changes, despite positive associations between themselves. Overall, these findings demonstrate that negative symptoms and cognitive impairment have significant independent contributions to EBDM in TRS, thereby opening the possibility of individualised treatment targeting these mechanisms to improve motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Saleh
- Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Level 6, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - I Jarratt-Barnham
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Herchel Smith Building for Brain & Mind Sciences, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Cambridge Psychosis Centre, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - P Petitet
- Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Level 6, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Equipe Trajectories, Inserm UMR-S 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Universite Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | - E Fernandez-Egea
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Herchel Smith Building for Brain & Mind Sciences, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Cambridge Psychosis Centre, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - S G Manohar
- Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Level 6, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - M Husain
- Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Level 6, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Saperia S, Felsky D, Da Silva S, Siddiqui I, Rector N, Remington G, Zakzanis KK, Foussias G. Modeling Effort-Based Decision Making: Individual Differences in Schizophrenia and Major Depressive Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:1041-1049. [PMID: 37290745 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A critical facet of motivation is effort-based decision making, which refers to the mental processes involved in deciding whether a potential reward is worth the effort. To advance understanding of how individuals with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder utilize cost-benefit information to guide choice behavior, this study aimed to characterize individual differences in the computations associated with effort-based decision making. METHODS One hundred forty-five participants (51 with schizophrenia, 43 with depression, and 51 healthy control participants) completed the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task, with mixed effects modeling conducted to estimate the predictors of decision making. These model-derived, subject-specific coefficients were then clustered using k-means to test for the presence of discrete transdiagnostic subgroups with different profiles of reward, probability, and cost information utilization during effort-based decision making. RESULTS An optimal 2-cluster solution was identified, with no significant differences in the distribution of diagnostic groups between clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 76) was characterized by overall lower information utilization during decision making than cluster 2 (n = 61). Participants in this low information utilization cluster were also significantly older and more cognitively impaired, and their utilization of reward, probability, and cost was significantly correlated with clinical amotivation, depressive symptoms, and cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS Our findings revealed meaningful individual differences among participants with schizophrenia, depression, and healthy control participants in their utilization of cost-benefit information in the context of effortful decision making. These findings may provide insight into different processes associated with aberrant choice behavior and may potentially guide the identification of more individualized treatment targets for effort-based motivation deficits across disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Saperia
- Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Felsky
- Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susana Da Silva
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ishraq Siddiqui
- Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neil Rector
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary Remington
- Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - George Foussias
- Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Barch DM, Culbreth AJ, Ben Zeev D, Campbell A, Nepal S, Moran EK. Dissociation of Cognitive Effort-Based Decision Making and Its Associations With Symptoms, Cognition, and Everyday Life Function Across Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:501-510. [PMID: 37080416 PMCID: PMC10755814 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anhedonia and amotivation are symptoms of many different mental health disorders that are frequently associated with functional disability, but it is not clear whether the same processes contribute to motivational impairments across disorders. This study focused on one possible factor, the willingness to exert cognitive effort, referred to as cognitive effort-cost decision making. METHODS We examined performance on the deck choice task as a measure of cognitive effort-cost decision making, in which people choose to complete an easy task for a small monetary reward or a harder task for larger rewards, in 5 groups: healthy control (n = 80), schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (n = 50), bipolar disorder with psychosis (n = 58), current major depression (n = 60), and past major depression (n = 51). We examined cognitive effort-cost decision making in relation to clinician and self-reported motivation symptoms, working memory and cognitive control performance, and life function measured by ecological momentary assessment and passive sensing. RESULTS We found a significant diagnostic group × reward interaction (F8,588 = 4.37, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.056). Compared with the healthy control group, the schizophrenia/schizoaffective and bipolar disorder groups, but not the current or past major depressive disorder groups, showed a reduced willingness to exert effort at the higher reward values. In the schizophrenia/schizoaffective and bipolar disorder groups, but not the major depressive disorder groups, reduced willingness to exert cognitive effort for higher rewards was associated with greater clinician-rated motivation impairments, worse working memory and cognitive control performance, and less engagement in goal-directed activities measured by ecological momentary assessment. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the mechanisms contributing to motivational impairments differ among individuals with psychosis spectrum disorders versus depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
| | - Adam J Culbreth
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dror Ben Zeev
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Andrew Campbell
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Subigya Nepal
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Erin K Moran
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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23
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Li LY, Meng X, Hu WT, Geng JS, Cheng TH, Luo JC, Hu MY, Li HY, Wang Y, Wang YY. A meta-analysis of the association between mindfulness and motivation. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1159902. [PMID: 37614448 PMCID: PMC10442577 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1159902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mindfulness reflects attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental way and has been linked to individual autonomy and motivation, but conclusions are inconsistent. The purpose of this review was to summarize previous studies to explore the relationship between mindfulness and motivation and its intervention effects. Methods Literature searches were conducted in five electronic databases. Both correlational studies assessing the association between motivation and mindfulness and experimental studies to verify the effect of intervention were included. Results Six papers with seven intervention studies and twenty-three papers with twenty-seven correlational studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that mindfulness was positively correlated with intrinsic motivation (r = 0.28, p < 0.0001) and total motivation (r = 0.37, p < 0.0001) but had no significant correlation with extrinsic motivation (r = 0.01, p = 0.93) or amotivation (r = -0.17, p = 0.14). Effect-size estimates suggested that mindfulness intervention was beneficial to motivation promotion, but the effect was at a low level (g = 0.12). Conclusion We found consistent support for mindfulness practice relating to motivation promotion, especially on intrinsic motivation development. However, there was still a portion of heterogeneity that could not be explained and needed to be identified in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-ying Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xue Meng
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Wen-ting Hu
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jia-sen Geng
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tian-hua Cheng
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jia-cheng Luo
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Ming-yu Hu
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Hai-yue Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-yu Wang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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24
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Culbreth AJ, Dershwitz SD, Barch DM, Moran EK. Associations Between Cognitive and Physical Effort-Based Decision Making in People With Schizophrenia and Healthy Control Subjects. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:695-702. [PMID: 36796513 PMCID: PMC10330111 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effort can take a variety of forms including physical (e.g., button pressing) and cognitive (e.g., working memory tasks). Few studies have examined whether individual differences in willingness to expend effort are similar or different across modalities. METHODS We recruited 30 individuals with schizophrenia and 44 healthy control subjects to complete 2 effort-cost decision-making tasks: the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task (physical effort) and the cognitive effort discounting task (cognitive effort). RESULTS Willingness to expend cognitive and physical effort was positively associated for both individuals with schizophrenia and control subjects. Further, we found that individual differences in motivation and pleasure dimension of negative symptoms modulated the association between physical and cognitive effort. Specifically, participants with lower motivation and pleasure scores, irrespective of group status, showed stronger associations between task measures of cognitive and physical effort-cost decision making. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a generalized deficit across effort modalities in individuals with schizophrenia. Further, reductions in motivation and pleasure may impact effort-cost decision making in a domain-general manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Culbreth
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Sally D Dershwitz
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Erin K Moran
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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25
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Raugh IM, Spilka M, Luther L, Suveg CM, Strauss GP. Ecological Momentary Assessment Of State Fluctuations In Mindfulness And Symptoms In Psychotic Disorders. JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2023; 29:219-229. [PMID: 37720056 PMCID: PMC10501155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Mindfulness skills are a component of many modern cognitive-behavioral therapies that are used to treat a wide range of disorders, including psychotic disorders. While habitual (i.e., trait) mindfulness is associated with clinical outcomes, the effects of momentary (i.e., state) mindfulness are unclear. This is due in part to previous studies using cross-sectional designs relying on trait self-report questionnaires. Although such approaches are invaluable, they lack temporal specificity to evaluate momentary changes and effects of mindfulness. To address these limitations, the current study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to evaluate state levels of two mindfulness skills, acceptance and monitoring, and their association with state fluctuations in symptoms. Participants included individuals with affective and non-affective psychotic disorders (PD; n = 49) and healthy controls (CN; n = 53) who completed six days of EMA. Results indicated that the PD group endorsed lower state acceptance than CN; however, the groups did not significantly differ in monitoring. Further, greater state mindfulness skills in both acceptance and monitoring were associated with greater positive affect, reduced negative affect, and reduced negative symptoms. However, participants with a predominantly affective psychosis presentation showed differential effects compared to those with non-affective presentations. These findings suggest that mindfulness training for people with psychotic disorders may benefit from focusing on improving acceptance in order to improve emotional experience and build on existing monitoring skills. Further, mindfulness based psychosocial interventions may offer a novel means of treating negative symptoms in people with PD, which are currently stalled and largely unresponsive to other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. Raugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael Spilka
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Cynthia M. Suveg
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Blouzard E, Pouchon A, Polosan M, Bastin J, Dondé C. Effort-Cost Decision-making Among Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2023; 80:548-557. [PMID: 37043223 PMCID: PMC10099175 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.0553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Importance Motivational impairments in schizophrenia are by definition associated with poor outcome. It is postulated that the reduction of goal-directed behavior arises from abnormal trade-offs between rewards and efforts. Objective To examine whether schizophrenia is associated with impairments in effort-cost decision-making. Data Sources For this systematic review and meta-analysis, the PubMed, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception to July 2022 for studies that investigated effort-cost decision-making in schizophrenia. Search terms included effort, cost, and schizophrenia. Study Selection Consensual criteria for inclusion were peer-reviewed studies published in English that used a computerized effort-cost decision-making behavioral paradigm and compared individuals with schizophrenia with control individuals. Data Extraction and Synthesis The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline was used for abstracting data. Data were extracted independently by 2 authors and then pooled using random-effects sizes and bayesian approaches. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were performance on effort-cost decision-making tasks requiring an effort-reward trade-off, measured by Hedges g effect size. Effects of moderators were tested with meta-regressions and subgroup analyses. Results Twenty studies involving 1503 participants were included: 837 individuals with schizophrenia (541 [64.6%] male; mean [SD] age, 35.89 [6.70] years) and 666 control individuals without schizophrenia (360 [54.1%] male; mean [SD] age, 34.16 [5.92] years). Participants with schizophrenia had significantly reduced willingness to expend effort for rewards compared with controls (k = 20; effect size, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.30-0.56; P < .001; I2 = 33.1%; Q test P = .08). The magnitude of the deficit was significantly greater for high-reward trials. The severity of negative symptoms was negatively associated with effort-cost decision-making (k = 8; effect size, -0.33; 95% CI, -0.50 to -0.15; P < .001), while participants with a high number of negative symptoms had a significantly larger impairment in effort-cost decision-making (k = 5; effect size, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.10-0.84; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance In this systematic review and meta-analysis, schizophrenia was associated with deficits in effort allocation as indexed by effort-cost decision-making tasks. Understanding the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms driving effort allocation impairments may assist in developing novel interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Blouzard
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Arnaud Pouchon
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Grenoble, France
- Adult Psychiatry Department, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Mircea Polosan
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Grenoble, France
- Adult Psychiatry Department, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Julien Bastin
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Clément Dondé
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Grenoble, France
- Adult Psychiatry Department, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Adult Psychiatry Department, Centre Hospitalier Alpes-Isère, Saint-Egrève, France
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Schormann ALA, Pillny M, Haß K, Lincoln TM. "Goals in Focus"-a targeted CBT approach for motivational negative symptoms of psychosis: study protocol for a randomized-controlled feasibility trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2023; 9:72. [PMID: 37131247 PMCID: PMC10152726 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-023-01284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The reduction of goal-directed behavior is the main characteristic in motivational negative symptoms of psychosis as it accounts for the long-term decline in psychological well-being and psychosocial functioning. However, the available treatment options are largely unspecific and show only small effects on motivational negative symptoms. Interventions that directly target the relevant psychological mechanisms are likely to be more effective. For "Goals in Focus", we translated findings from basic clinical research on mechanisms underlying motivational negative symptoms into a tailored and comprehensive novel psychological outpatient treatment program. With this study, we will test the feasibility of the therapy manual and the trial procedures. We also aim to examine first estimates of the effect size that can be expected from "Goals in Focus" to inform the sample size calculation of a subsequent fully powered trial. METHODS Thirty participants diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and at least moderate motivational negative symptoms will be randomly assigned to either 24 sessions of "Goals in Focus" over the course of 6 months (n = 15) or to a 6-month wait-list control group (n = 15). Single-blind assessments will be conducted at baseline (t0) and 6 months after baseline completion (t1). Feasibility outcomes include patient recruitment, retention, and attendance rates. Acceptability will be rated by trial therapists and by participants at end of treatment. Primary outcome for effect size estimation is the motivational negative symptom subscale sum score of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale at t1 corrected for baseline values. Secondary outcomes include psychosocial functioning, psychological well-being, depressive symptoms, expressive negative symptoms, negative symptom factor scores, and goal pursuit in everyday life. DISCUSSION The feasibility and acceptability data will be used to improve trial procedures and the "Goals in Focus" intervention where necessary. The treatment effect on the primary outcome will provide the basis for the sample size calculation for a fully powered RCT. TRIAL REGISTRATION 1) ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05252039 . Registered on 23 February 2022. 2) Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS00018083 . Registered on 28 August 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa L A Schormann
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement, Universität Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Matthias Pillny
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement, Universität Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Haß
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement, Universität Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tania M Lincoln
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement, Universität Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
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28
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Moran EK, Prevost C, Culbreth AJ, Barch DM. Effort-cost decision-making in psychotic and mood disorders. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND CLINICAL SCIENCE 2023; 132:490-498. [PMID: 37079841 PMCID: PMC10164124 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Avolition and anhedonia are core symptoms across psychosis and mood disorders. One important mechanism thought to relate to these symptoms is effort-cost decision-making (ECDM), the valuation and estimation of work required to obtain a given reward. While recent work suggests impairments in ECDM in both mood disorders and psychosis relative to controls, limited work has taken a transdiagnostic approach to examine how these deficits relate to different symptom profiles across disorders. The present study investigated ECDM across schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (N = 33), bipolar disorder (N = 47), unipolar depression (N = 61), and healthy controls (N = 58) to examine willingness to expend physical effort. Moreover, we examined the relationship between ECDM and motivation and pleasure symptoms across participants. We found that people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showed a reduced willingness to expend physical effort at high reward values relative to controls, while as a group, those with depression showed no differences relative to controls. However, individual differences in self-reported motivation and pleasure predicted reduced ECDM, particularly at high reward values, suggesting that both severity of symptoms and diagnostic categories are important for understanding altered ECDM in psychopathology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K. Moran
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Caroline Prevost
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Adam J. Culbreth
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201
| | - Deanna M. Barch
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in goal-directed behavior (i.e. behavior conducted to achieve a specific goal or outcome) are core to schizophrenia, difficult to treat, and associated with poor functional outcomes. Factors such as negative symptoms, effort-cost decision-making, cognition, and functional skills have all been associated with goal-directed behavior in schizophrenia as indexed by clinical interviews or laboratory-based tasks. However, little work has examined whether these factors relate to the real-world pursuit of goal-directed activities in this population. METHODS This study aimed to fill this gap by using Ecological Momentary Assessment (four survey prompts per day for 1 week) to test hypotheses about symptom, effort allocation, cognitive, and functional measures associated with planned and completed goal-directed behavior in the daily lives of 63 individuals with schizophrenia. RESULTS Individuals with schizophrenia completed more goal-directed activities than they planned [t(62) = -4.01, p < 0.001]. Motivation and pleasure (i.e. experiential) negative symptoms, controlling for depressive symptoms, negatively related to planned goal-directed behavior [odds ratio (OR) 0.92, p = 0.005]. Increased effort expenditure for high probability rewards (planned: OR 1.01, p = 0.034, completed: OR 1.01, p = 0.034) along with performance on a daily functional skills task (planned: OR 1.04, p = 0.002, completed: OR 1.03, p = 0.047) negatively related to both planned and completed goal-directed activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results present correlates of real-world goal-directed behavior that largely align with impaired ability to make future estimations in schizophrenia. This insight could help identify targeted treatments for the elusive motivated behavior deficits in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaisal T Merchant
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Erin K Moran
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael J Strube
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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30
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Speers LJ, Bilkey DK. Maladaptive explore/exploit trade-offs in schizophrenia. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:341-354. [PMID: 36878821 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that remains poorly understood, particularly at the systems level. In this opinion article we argue that the explore/exploit trade-off concept provides a holistic and ecologically valid framework to resolve some of the apparent paradoxes that have emerged within schizophrenia research. We review recent evidence suggesting that fundamental explore/exploit behaviors may be maladaptive in schizophrenia during physical, visual, and cognitive foraging. We also describe how theories from the broader optimal foraging literature, such as the marginal value theorem (MVT), could provide valuable insight into how aberrant processing of reward, context, and cost/effort evaluations interact to produce maladaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda J Speers
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.
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31
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Renz KE, Schlier B, Lincoln TM. Are effort-based decision-making tasks worth the effort?-A study on the associations between effort-based decision-making tasks and self-report measures. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2023; 32:e1943. [PMID: 36088538 PMCID: PMC9976602 DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Amotivation is a common symptom in various mental disorders, including psychotic or depressive disorders. Effort-based decision-making (EBDM)-tasks quantifying amotivation at a behavioral level have been on the rise. Task performance has been shown to differentiate patient groups from healthy controls. However, findings on indicators of construct validity, such as the correlations between different tasks and between tasks and self-reported/observer-rated amotivation in clinical and healthy samples have been inconclusive. METHODS In a representative community sample (N = 90), we tested the construct validity of the Deck Choice Task, the Expenditure for Rewards Task and the Balloon Task. We calculated correlations between the EBDM-tasks and between the EBDM-tasks and self-reported amotivation, apathy, anticipatory pleasure, and BIS/BAS. RESULTS Correlations between tasks were low to moderate (0.198 ≤ r ≤ 0.358), with the Balloon Task showing the largest correlations with the other tasks, but no significant correlations between any EBDM-task and the self-report measures. CONCLUSION Although different EBDM-tasks are conceptualized to measure the same construct, a large part of what each task measures could not be accounted for by the other tasks. Moreover, the tasks did not appear to substantially capture what was measured in established self-report instruments for amotivation in our sample, which could be interpreted as questioning the construct validity of EBDM-tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina E Renz
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Björn Schlier
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tania M Lincoln
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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32
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Abstract
Cannabis exerts an indirect effect on dopamine (DA) output in the mesolimbic projection, a circuit implicated in reward processing and effort expenditure, and thus may be associated with aberrant effort-based decision making. The "amotivation syndrome" hypothesis suggests that regular cannabis use results in impaired capacity for goal-directed behavior. However, investigations of this hypothesis have used divergent methodology and have not controlled for key confounding variables. The present study extends these findings by examining the relation between cannabis use and effort-related decision making in a sample of college students. Cannabis using (n = 25; 68% meeting criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder) and noncannabis using (n = 22) students completed the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT). In generalized estimating equation models, reward magnitude, reward probability, and expected value predicted greater likelihood of selecting a high-effort trial. Furthermore, past-month cannabis days and cannabis use disorder symptoms predicted the likelihood of selecting a high-effort trial, such that greater levels of both cannabis use days and symptoms were associated with an increased likelihood after controlling for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, distress tolerance, income, and delay discounting. The results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that college students who use cannabis are more likely to expend effort to obtain reward, even after controlling for the magnitude of the reward and the probability of reward receipt. Thus, these results do not support the amotivational syndrome hypothesis. Future research with a larger sample is required to evaluate possible associations between cannabis use and patterns of real-world effortful behavior over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Strauss GP, Bartolomeo LA, Luther L. Reduced willingness to expend effort for rewards is associated with risk for conversion and negative symptom severity in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis. Psychol Med 2023; 53:714-721. [PMID: 34120660 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172100204x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SZ) is typically preceded by a prodromal (i.e. pre-illness) period characterized by attenuated positive symptoms and declining functional outcome. Negative symptoms are prominent among individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis (i.e. those with prodromal syndromes) and predictive of conversion to illness. Mechanisms underlying negative symptoms are unclear in the CHR population. METHODS The current study evaluated whether CHR participants demonstrated deficits in the willingness to expend effort for rewards and whether these impairments are associated with negative symptoms and greater risk for conversion. Participants included 44 CHR participants and 32 healthy controls (CN) who completed the Effort Expenditure for Reward Task (EEfRT). RESULTS Compared to CN, CHR participants displayed reduced likelihood of exerting high effort for high probability and magnitude rewards. Among CHR participants, reduced effort expenditure was associated with greater negative symptom severity and greater probability of conversion to a psychotic disorder on a cross-sectional risk calculator. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that effort-cost computation is a marker of illness liability and a transphasic mechanism underlying negative symptoms in the SZ spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Money versus thumbs up: Effort expenditure for rewards in schizophrenia. Asian J Psychiatr 2023; 80:103378. [PMID: 36495731 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Raudeberg R, Karr JE, Iverson GL, Hammar Å. Examining the repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status validity indices in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Clin Neuropsychol 2023; 37:101-118. [PMID: 33522847 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1876169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective: We examined the frequency of possible invalid test scores on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and whether there was an association between scores on the embedded RBANS performance validity tests (PVTs) and self-reported symptoms of apathy as measured by the Initiate Scale of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A). Methods: Participants included 250 patients (M = 24.4 years-old, SD = 5.7) with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Base rates of RBANS Effort Index (EI), Effort Scale (ES), and Performance Validity Index (PVI) test scores were computed. Spearman correlations were used to examine the associations between the RBANS PVTs, the RBANS Index scores, and the BRIEF-A Initiate Scale. Regression analyses were used to investigate how well the RBANS PVTs predicted scores on the BRIEF-A Initiate Scale. Results: The frequency of invalid scores on the EI (>3) and the PVI (<42) in participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders was 6%. The frequency of invalid ES scores (<12) was 28% in the patients compared to 15% in the U.S. standardization sample. There was a small significant correlation between the EI and the BRIEF-A Initiate Scale (rho=.158, p<.05). Conclusions: The rates of invalid scores were similar to previously published studies. Invalid scores on the BRIEF-A were uncommon. Apathy measured with the BRIEF-A Initiate Scale was not associated with performance on the RBANS validity measures or with measures of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rune Raudeberg
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Justin E Karr
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Grant L Iverson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School; Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Spaulding Research Institute; & Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Åsa Hammar
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Chu RST, Tong CCHY, Wong CSM, Chang WC, Tang WCY, Chan CCL, Lui SSY, Hui LM, Suen YN, Chan KW, Lee HM, Chen EYH. Effort-based decision making in schizotypy and its relationship with amotivation and psychosocial functioning. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1123046. [PMID: 36873206 PMCID: PMC9978481 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1123046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suboptimal effort-based decision-making with reduced willingness to expend effort for high-probability/high-value reward is observed in schizophrenia patients and is related to diminished motivation, but is understudied in schizotypy. This study aimed to examine effort-allocation in schizotypy individuals and its association with amotivation and psychosocial functioning. METHODS We recruited 40 schizotypy individuals and 40 demographically-matched healthy controls, based on Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-B) score (top and bottom 10% SPQ-B scores, respectively), from 2400 young people aged 15-24 years participating a population-based mental health survey in Hong Kong and examined effort-allocation using the Effort Expenditure for Reward Task (EEfRT). Negative / amotivation symptoms and psychosocial functioning were assessed by the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) and the Social Functioning and Occupational Assessment Scale (SOFAS), respectively. Schizotypy individuals were categorized into high-amotivation and low-amotivation groups based on a median-split of BNSS amotivation domain score. RESULTS Our results showed no main group effect (in either two or three-group comparison) on effort task performance. Three-group comparison analyses on selected EEfRT performance indices revealed that high-amotivation schizotypy individuals displayed significantly less increase in effortful options from low-value to high-value reward (reward-difference score) and from low-probability/low-value to high-probability/high-value reward (probability/reward-difference score) than low-amotivation individuals and controls. Correlation analyses demonstrated trend-wise significance between BNSS amotivation domain score and several EEfRT performance indices in schizotypy group. Schizotypy individuals with poorer psychosocial functioning tended to exhibit smaller probability/reward-difference score relative to other two groups. DISCUSSION Our findings indicate subtle effort-allocation abnormalities in schizotypy individuals with high levels of diminished motivation, and suggest the link between laboratory-based effort-cost measures and real-world functional outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Sai Ting Chu
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Co Co Ho Yi Tong
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Corine Sau Man Wong
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wing Chung Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wesley Chor Yin Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Charlotte Cheuk Lok Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lai Ming Hui
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yi Nam Suen
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kit Wa Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Ming Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eric Yu Hai Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Steffens DC, Fahed M, Manning KJ, Wang L. The neurobiology of apathy in depression and neurocognitive impairment in older adults: a review of epidemiological, clinical, neuropsychological and biological research. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:525. [PMID: 36572691 PMCID: PMC9792580 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02292-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Apathy is a common condition that involves diminished initiative, diminished interest and diminished emotional expression or responsiveness. It is highly prevalent in the context of a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders and is related to poor health outcomes. Presence of apathy is associated with cognitive and functional decline in dementia. Despite its negative impact on health, there is no definitive treatment for apathy, a clinical reality that may be due in part to lack of knowledge about assessment, neuropsychological features and neurobiological underpinnings. Here, we review and synthesize evidence from clinical, epidemiological, neuropsychological, peripheral biomarker and neuroimaging research. Apathy is a common feature of depression and cognitive disorders and is associated with impairment in executive function. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies point to dysfunction of brain circuitry involving the prefrontal cortex, especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex circuit, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex circuit, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex circuit. However, inconsistent findings, particularly in neuroimaging may be due to heterogeneity of apathy symptoms (with a need to better elucidate subtypes), neuropsychiatric comorbidities, the severity of cognitive impairment and other factors. These factors need to be accounted for in future studies so that biomarker research can make progress. On the whole, the literature on apathy has identified likely neurocognitive, peripheral biomarker and neuroimaging targets for understanding apathy, but also points to the need to address methodological issues that will better inform future studies. In turn, as we learn more about the underpinning of apathy and its subtypes, subsequent research can focus on new neurally based interventions that will strengthen the clinical management of apathy in the context of its comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Steffens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Mario Fahed
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Kevin J Manning
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Lihong Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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38
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Gerritsen CJ, Goldberg JO, Kiang M, Remington G, Foussias G, Eastwood JD. Distinct profiles of psychological and neuropsychological functions underlying goal-directed pursuit in schizophrenia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2022; 56:1628-1641. [PMID: 35191327 DOI: 10.1177/00048674221077031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several components are known to underlie goal-directed pursuit, including executive, motivational and volitional functions. These were explored in schizophrenia spectrum disorders in order to identify subgroups with distinct profiles. METHODS Multiple executive, motivational and volitional tests were administered to a sample of outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses (n = 59) and controls (n = 63). Research questions included whether distinct profiles exist and whether some functions are impacted disproportionately. These questions were addressed via cluster analysis and profile analysis, respectively. RESULTS Some such functions were significantly altered in schizophrenia while others were unaffected. Two distinct profiles emerged, one characterized by energizing deficits, reduced reward sensitivity and few subjective complaints; while another was characterized by markedly increased punishment sensitivity, intact reward sensitivity and substantial subjective reporting of avolitional symptoms and boredom susceptibility. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the importance of considering distinct patterns of strengths and deficits in functions governing goal-directed pursuit in schizophrenia that demarcate identifiable subtypes. These distinctions have implications for treatment, assessment and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Gerritsen
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Forensic Early Intervention Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joel O Goldberg
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Kiang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gary Remington
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - George Foussias
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John D Eastwood
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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The role of anhedonia in predicting risk-taking behavior in university students. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 155:451-457. [PMID: 36183598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in understanding symptoms of psychological distress, such as anhedonia, not just as related to individual psychological disorders, but transdiagnostically. This broader focus allows for the investigation of the effects of symptoms across disorders, or in non-clinical samples. Previous work has linked anhedonia and risk-taking behavior in clinical samples, though the exploration of this relationship in healthy adolescents and early adults is still a relatively new area of research. The current study explored the relationship between variability in anhedonia and risk-taking behavior by breaking each into separable parts (i.e. anhedonia into deficits in anticipatory and consummatory pleasure; risk-taking into risk propensity, sub-optimal risky behavior, and response to punishment). A sample of 81 university students completed two Chapman scales of anhedonia, the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS), and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Hierarchical linear regression analyses were completed to assess the predictive power of each anhedonia measure on each outcome measure on the BART. TEPS score significantly negatively predicted all three outcome measures, with anticipatory pleasure having more predictive power than consummatory pleasure. Physical anhedonia was also a significant predictor of sub-optimal risky behavior and response to punishment. These findings present a broader and more complex view of the associations between anhedonia and risk than have previously been reported, and merit further study to continue to elucidate how they are related to one another.
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40
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Siddiqui I, Remington G, Saperia S, Da Silva S, Fletcher PJ, Voineskos AN, Zakzanis KK, Foussias G. Behavioural phenotypes of intrinsic motivation in schizophrenia determined by cluster analysis of objectively quantified real-world performance. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 8:85. [PMID: 36271094 PMCID: PMC9587030 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00294-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsic motivation deficits are a prominent feature of schizophrenia that substantially impacts functional outcome. This study used cluster analysis of innate real-world behaviours captured during two open-field tasks to dimensionally examine heterogeneity in intrinsic motivation in schizophrenia patients (SZ) and healthy controls (HC). Wireless motion capture quantified participants' behaviours aligning with distinct aspects of intrinsic motivation: exploratory behaviour and effortful activity in the absence of external incentive. Cluster analysis of task-derived measures identified behaviourally differentiable subgroups, which were compared across standard clinical measures of general amotivation, cognition, and community functioning. Among 45 SZ and 47 HC participants, three clusters with characteristically different behavioural phenotypes emerged: low exploration (20 SZ, 19 HC), low activity (15 SZ, 8 HC), and high exploration/activity (10 SZ, 20 HC). Low performance in either dimension corresponded with similar increased amotivation. Within-cluster discrepancies emerged for amotivation (SZ > HC) within the low exploration and high performance clusters, and for functioning (SZ < HC) within all clusters, increasing from high performance to low activity to low exploration. Objective multidimensional characterization thus revealed divergent behavioural expression of intrinsic motivation deficits that may be conflated by summary clinical measures of motivation and overlooked by unidimensional evaluation. Deficits in either aspect may hinder general motivation and functioning particularly in SZ. Multidimensional phenotyping may help guide personalized remediation by discriminating between intrinsic motivation impairments that require amelioration versus unimpaired tendencies that may facilitate remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishraq Siddiqui
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Gary Remington
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sarah Saperia
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Susana Da Silva
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Paul J. Fletcher
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Preclinical Research and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Aristotle N. Voineskos
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Konstantine K. Zakzanis
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - George Foussias
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Schizophrenia Division and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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Renz KE, Lincoln TM. The effect of salience of rewards on effort-based decision making in psychotic disorders. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:643. [PMID: 36229803 PMCID: PMC9559256 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04274-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although motivational negative symptoms account for reduced functioning and quality of life in individuals with psychotic disorders, the underlying mechanisms are yet not fully understood. Neuroimaging studies suggest that an impaired perception of reward cues could result in a lack of incentive value that then leads to a decrease in goal-directed behavior. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the effect of increasing the salience of reward cues on goal-directed behavior. METHODS We recruited a sample of n = 30 participants with a psychotic disorder and at least mild negative symptoms and n = 30 healthy controls. We used the Balloon Effort Task, an effort-based decision-making paradigm, to assess amotivation on a behavioral level. We manipulated the salience of rewards in the paradigm by highlighting the monetary rewards in half of the trials. RESULTS Total effort expenditure did not differ between participants with and without psychotic disorders, but participants with psychotic disorders showed a significantly reduced effort allocation to the level of rewards. The salience of rewards manipulation significantly increased effort expenditure both in participants with psychotic disorders and in the healthy controls, but had no impact on effort allocation. CONCLUSIONS Increasing the salience of reward cues promotes goal-directed behavior. This opens up new possibilities for interventions addressing amotivation in individuals with negative symptoms by facilitating the perception of reward cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina E. Renz
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Universität Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tania M. Lincoln
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Universität Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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42
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Fattal J, Brascamp JW, Slate RE, Lehet M, Achtyes ED, Thakkar KN. Blunted pupil light reflex is associated with negative symptoms and working memory in individuals with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2022; 248:254-262. [PMID: 36115190 PMCID: PMC9613610 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Two largely separate lines of research have documented altered pupillary dynamics in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. An older set of studies has demonstrated reductions in the pupillary light reflex (PLR) in individuals with schizophrenia; however, clinical and cognitive correlates of this blunted PLR have been relatively unexplored. More recently, a large body of work has demonstrated reductions in pupillary dilation in response to cognitive demands in individuals with schizophrenia, and the degree of this blunted pupil dilation has been related to more severe cognitive deficits and motivational negative symptoms. These clinically relevant alterations in the cognitive modulation of pupil size have been interpreted as reflecting insufficient information processing resources or inappropriate effort allocation. To begin to bridge these two lines of work, we investigated the PLR in 34 individuals with schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls and related the amplitude of the PLR to motivational negative symptoms and cognitive performance. Consistent with prior work, we found that the PLR was reduced in individuals with schizophrenia, and furthermore, that these measurements were highly reliable across individuals. Blunted constriction was associated with more severe motivational negative symptoms and poorer working memory among individuals with schizophrenia. These observed correlates provide a bridge between older literature documenting an altered PLR and more recent work reporting associations between negative symptoms, cognition, and blunted pupillary dilation in response to cognitive demands in individuals with schizophrenia. We provide possible mechanistic interpretations of our data and consider a parsimonious explanation for reduced cognitive- and light-related modulation of pupil size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Fattal
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Jan W Brascamp
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Rachael E Slate
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Matthew Lehet
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Eric D Achtyes
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America; Cherry Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America
| | - Katharine N Thakkar
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America; Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America.
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43
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Tran T, Spilka MJ, Ruiz I, Strauss GP. Implicit cognitive effort monitoring impairments are associated with expressive negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2022; 248:14-20. [PMID: 35907347 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Negative symptoms are a strong predictor of functional impairment in schizophrenia (SZ). Unfortunately, mechanisms underlying negative symptoms are poorly understood and available treatments are minimally effective. The current study evaluated the novel hypothesis that negative symptoms are associated with an implicit cognitive effort monitoring impairment that manifests during tasks requiring sustained allocation of cognitive control. Outpatients with SZ (n = 33) and healthy controls (CN; n = 29) completed an adapted Demand Selection Task (DST) in which subjects made choices between pairs of cognitive tasks that were implicitly and then explicitly made discrepant in effort demands. The SZ group demonstrated a reduced probability of avoiding the high effort cognitive task in the implicit choice condition but were able to become effort avoidant when the demands of the task were made explicit. Implicit cognitive effort monitoring deficits were associated with greater severity of the expressivity dimension of negative symptoms, but not the motivation and pleasure dimension. The association between diminished expressivity and implicit cognitive effort monitoring deficits is interpreted in light of a novel cognitive resource depletion theory, whereby individuals with SZ may become less expressive due to difficulty implicitly monitoring ongoing cognitive effort exertion and dynamically adjusting effort expenditure as task demands fluctuate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Tran
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, 62 Arch St., K7L 3L3 Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J Spilka
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St., 30602 Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ivan Ruiz
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St., 30602 Athens, GA, USA
| | - Gregory P Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St., 30602 Athens, GA, USA.
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Low goal-directed behavior in negative symptoms is explained by goal setting - Results of a diary study. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2022; 76:101740. [PMID: 35738687 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2022.101740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Engaging in goal-directed activities is a core difficulty of people with negative symptoms in schizophrenia. A previously developed goal pursuit model of negative symptoms (Schlier et al. 2017) postulates that negative symptom severity correlates with a tendency to set more avoidance- than approach-oriented goals. This shift in goal orientation correlates with low levels of goal expectancy, goal importance, and goal commitment. We explored whether these alterations translate into reduced goal-directed behavior (i.e., reduced goal striving and goal attainment). METHODS We conducted a one-week diary-study in a population sample (N=91). Participants were assessed for subclinical negative symptoms at baseline. Next, they set a daily goal and completed an online survey measuring goal orientation, goal characteristics, goal pursuit, and goal attainment once per day for one week. RESULTS Multilevel regression analyses and structural equation models showed that negative symptoms correlated with a tendency to set less approach-oriented goals with reduced goal expectancy and goal commitment. Goal orientation, expectancy, and commitment mediated the association between negative symptoms and reduced goal pursuit and attainment. LIMITATIONS We used a community sample, thus our results need to be replicated in a clinical sample of people with motivational negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that dysfunctional goal pursuit processes explain why negative symptoms lead to reduced goal-directed behavior. Interventions focusing on goal setting and goal expectations could be promising in improving goal-directed behavior in people with negative symptoms.
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Ince Guliyev E, Guloksuz S, Ucok A. Impaired Effort Allocation in Patients with Recent-Onset Schizophrenia and Its Relevance to Negative Symptoms Assessments and Persistent Negative Symptoms. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11175060. [PMID: 36078990 PMCID: PMC9457458 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Our aims in this study were (i) to compare effort allocation capacity measured between patients with recent-onset schizophrenia (SCZ) and healthy controls (HCs), (ii) within the SCZ, to investigate the association of effort allocation capacity with negative symptoms (NS), and (iii) to compare this association with the type of NS scale used. (2) Methods: Thirty-one patients with SCZ and 30 HCs participated in the study. The NS was examined using an older-generation (Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, SANS), a newer-generation (Brief Negative Symptoms Scale, BNSS), and a self-rated (Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms Scale, SNS) negative symptom scale, as well as longitudinally by using persistent NS (PNS) distinction. (3) Results: The SCZ group was less willing to expend effort in high/moderate-probability and -magnitude conditions but more in low-probability and -magnitude conditions. A general reduction in effort allocation capacity was also present. Patients with PNS were less likely to choose hard tasks than non-PNS patients. Clinician-rated scales correlated with 50% probability and moderate-reward-magnitude conditions. Correlations with the SNS were minimal. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients with SCZ may show a general reduction in effort allocation capacity and make inefficient choices, although they are not totally reward-insensitive. The effects of NS on effort expenditure can be more pronounced when the rewarding stimulus is vague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Ince Guliyev
- Department of Psychiatry, Erenkoy Training and Research Hospital for Mental and Neurological Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul 34736, Turkey
- Correspondence:
| | - Sinan Guloksuz
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Alp Ucok
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
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Treadway MT, Salamone JD. Vigor, Effort-Related Aspects of Motivation and Anhedonia. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 58:325-353. [PMID: 35505057 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter we provide an overview of the pharmacological and circuit mechanisms that determine the willingness to expend effort in pursuit of rewards. A particular focus will be on the role of the mesolimbic dopamine system, as well the contributing roles of limbic and cortical brains areas involved in the evaluation, selection, and invigoration of goal-directed actions. We begin with a review of preclinical studies, which have provided key insights into the brain systems that are necessary and sufficient for effort-based decision-making and have characterized novel compounds that enhance selection of high-effort activities. Next, we summarize translational studies identifying and expanding this circuitry in humans. Finally, we discuss the relevance of this work for understanding common motivational impairments as part of the broader anhedonia symptom domain associated with mental illness, and the identification of new treatment targets within this circuitry to improve motivation and effort-expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D Salamone
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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47
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Wang YY, Wang Y, Huang J, Sun XH, Wang XZ, Zhang SX, Zhu GH, Lui SSY, Cheung EFC, Sun HW, Chan RCK. Shared and distinct reward neural mechanisms among patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder: an effort-based functional imaging study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:859-871. [PMID: 35079855 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01376-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Unwillingness to exert effort for rewards has been found in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD), but the underlying shared and distinct reward neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the neural correlates of such impairments across different diagnoses. The neural responses in an effort-expenditure for reward task (EEfRT) were assessed in 20 SCZ patients, 23 MDD patients, 17 BD patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC). The results found shared activation in the cingulate gyrus, the medial frontal gyrus, and the middle frontal gyrus during the EEfRT administration. Compared to HC, SCZ patients exhibited stronger variations of functional connectivity between the right caudate and the left amygdala, the left hippocampus and the left putamen, with increase in reward magnitude. In MDD patients, an enhanced activation compared to HC in the right superior temporal gyrus was found with the increase of reward magnitude. The variations of functional connectivity between the caudate and the right cingulate gyrus, the left postcentral gyrus and the left inferior parietal lobule with increase in reward magnitude were weaker than that found in HC. In BD patients, the degree of activation in the left precuneus was increased, but that in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was decreased with increase in reward probability compared to HC. These findings demonstrate both shared and distinct reward neural mechanisms associated with EEfRT in patients with SCZ, MDD, and BD, implicating potential intervention targets to alleviate amotivation in these clinical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Yu Wang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Shandong, 261053, China
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory; CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory; CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Jia Huang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory; CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Xi-He Sun
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Shandong, 261031, China
| | - Xi-Zhen Wang
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Shandong, 261031, China
| | - Shu-Xian Zhang
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Shandong, 261031, China
| | - Guo-Hui Zhu
- Mental Health Centre of Weifang City, Shandong, 261071, China
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Eric F C Cheung
- Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Hong-Wei Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Shandong, 261053, China
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory; CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100048, China.
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48
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Berkovitch L, Gaillard R, Abdel-Ahad P, Smadja S, Gauthier C, Attali D, Beaucamps H, Plaze M, Pessiglione M, Vinckier F. Preserved Unconscious Processing in Schizophrenia: The Case of Motivation. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:1094-1103. [PMID: 35751516 PMCID: PMC9434445 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Motivation deficit is a hallmark of schizophrenia that has a strong impact on their daily life. An alteration of reward processing has been repeatedly highlighted in schizophrenia, but to what extent it involves a deficient amplification of reward representation through conscious processing remains unclear. Indeed, patients with schizophrenia exhibit a disruption of conscious processing, whereas unconscious processing appears to be largely preserved. STUDY DESIGN To further explore the nature of motivational deficit in schizophrenia and the implication of consciousness disruption in this symptom, we used a masking paradigm testing motivation both under conscious and unconscious conditions in patients with schizophrenia (n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 32). Participants were exposed to conscious or subliminal coin pictures representing money at stake and were subsequently asked to perform an effort-task by squeezing a handgrip as hard as possible to win this reward. STUDY RESULTS We observed a preserved effect of unconscious monetary rewards on force production in both groups, without any significant difference between them. By contrast, in the conscious condition, patients with schizophrenia were less sensitive to rewards than controls. Our results confirm that unconscious incentives have effects on exerted forces in the general population, and demonstrate that patients with schizophrenia exhibit a dissociation between an impaired conscious motivation and a preserved unconscious motivation. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest the existence of several steps in motivational processes that can be differentially affected and might have implication for patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Berkovitch
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire Psychiatrie Paris 15, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Sainte Anne, 1 rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France; tel: 0033145658867, fax: 0033145657689, e-mail:
| | - Raphaël Gaillard
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Abdel-Ahad
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Sarah Smadja
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Claire Gauthier
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - David Attali
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Hadrien Beaucamps
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Marion Plaze
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Mathias Pessiglione
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior (MBB) Lab, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France,Sorbonne University, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Vinckier
- Université Paris Cité, F-75006 Paris, France,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, F-75014 Paris, France,Motivation, Brain and Behavior (MBB) Lab, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
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Babaev O, Cruces Solis H, Arban R. Dopamine modulating agents alter individual subdomains of motivation-related behavior assessed by touchscreen procedures. Neuropharmacology 2022; 211:109056. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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50
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Abram SV, Weittenhiller LP, Bertrand CE, McQuaid JR, Mathalon DH, Ford JM, Fryer SL. Psychological Dimensions Relevant to Motivation and Pleasure in Schizophrenia. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:827260. [PMID: 35401135 PMCID: PMC8985863 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.827260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation and pleasure deficits are common in schizophrenia, strongly linked with poorer functioning, and may reflect underlying alterations in brain functions governing reward processing and goal pursuit. While there is extensive research examining cognitive and reward mechanisms related to these deficits in schizophrenia, less attention has been paid to psychological characteristics that contribute to resilience against, or risk for, motivation and pleasure impairment. For example, psychological tendencies involving positive future expectancies (e.g., optimism) and effective affect management (e.g., reappraisal, mindfulness) are associated with aspects of reward anticipation and evaluation that optimally guide goal-directed behavior. Conversely, maladaptive thinking patterns (e.g., defeatist performance beliefs, asocial beliefs) and tendencies that amplify negative cognitions (e.g., rumination), may divert cognitive resources away from goal pursuit or reduce willingness to exert effort. Additionally, aspects of sociality, including the propensity to experience social connection as positive reinforcement may be particularly relevant for pursuing social goals. In the current review, we discuss the roles of several psychological characteristics with respect to motivation and pleasure in schizophrenia. We argue that individual variation in these psychological dimensions is relevant to the study of motivation and reward processing in schizophrenia, including interactions between these psychological dimensions and more well-characterized cognitive and reward processing contributors to motivation. We close by emphasizing the value of considering a broad set of modulating factors when studying motivation and pleasure functions in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha V Abram
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lauren P Weittenhiller
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Claire E Bertrand
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - John R McQuaid
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Daniel H Mathalon
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Judith M Ford
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Susanna L Fryer
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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