The effect of acute tryptophan depletion on probabilistic choice

Choice behaviour can be viewed as a response to reinforcement determined by an interaction between the quantities, delays and probabilities of two outcomes. The variation in the perceived value of a reinforcer with alteration of these factors (discounting) can be modelled mathematically by hyperbolic discounting functions. Making risky choices is a feature of impulsivity and has been associated with reduced serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) function. In this study, we investigated the possible role of 5-HT in modulating probability discounting using the technique of acute tryptophan (TRP) depletion in subjects undertaking an imaginary gambling task. The gambling task consisted of choosing between two 'roulette-like' dials: 'A' which provided a smaller but nearly certain 'win' and 'B' which gave a 'win' 2.5 times the amount with a probability that was systematically varied. A series of reward sizes on dial 'A' was presented ranging from 10 pence to 10,000 pounds. The probability of winning on dial 'B' at which the subjects valued the two dials equally (indifference point) was determined as a measure of willingness to take a risk. Subjects were more likely to take a risk for smaller rewards but the indifference points in the 15 subjects who received TRP depletion did not differ from 13 who had the control drink. On a surprise retesting 1 week later there was a trend (p < 0.07) for subjects to be more willing to take risks the second time, particularly in the case of small rewards. This study does not support a role for 5-HT in modulating probabilistic choice in agreement with recent evidence from experiments with animals; however, the imaginal nature of the task and modest numbers may have influenced the result.