Citation

Soder HE, Suchting R, Potts GF. Neurosci. Lett. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, PCD 4118G, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134549

PMID

31629773

Abstract

The current study compared electrophysiological responses (the feedback-related negativity [FRN]) to appetitive and aversive outcomes between a group of college drinkers and non-drinkers. 50 undergraduate students completed a passive, slot machine-like task while their electroencephalographic data was recorded to extract the FRN to unexpected appetitive and aversive outcomes. In the appetitive condition, participants could expectedly or unexpectedly win $1 or not win $1 and in the aversive condition participants could expectedly or unexpectedly be exposed to a loud noise burst or silence. The FRN was recorded in response to a cue indicating the outcome. Participants also reported on the number of drinks they consumed in a typical week to establish drinking status (drinker/non-drinker).

RESULTS showed that non-drinkers had a larger FRN in the aversive task compared to the appetitive task while drinkers had similar FRNs between the tasks. Drinkers had a significantly smaller aversive outcome related FRN compared to non-drinkers. Neural sensitivity to aversive outcomes might be a marker of decreased punishment sensitivity in college drinkers compared to non-drinkers, contributing to unhealthy drinking behavior.

Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol; feedback-related negativity; motivation; punishments; rewards