Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2026

A Fine Motor Task to Study Joint Kinematics in a Preclinical Model of Neurodegenerative Disease
05:39

A Fine Motor Task to Study Joint Kinematics in a Preclinical Model of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: June 13, 2025

Reduced autonomic responsiveness to gambling task losses in Huntington's disease

Meghan C Campbell1, Julie C Stout, Peter R Finn

  • 1Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|March 12, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Huntington's disease (HD) impairs autonomic responses during risky decision-making. Individuals with HD showed reduced skin conductance responses to losses, indicating a diminished impact of negative feedback on their choices.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Autonomic Nervous System Research
  • Decision-Making Studies

Background:

  • Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor, cognitive, and psychiatric functions.
  • Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is increasingly recognized in HD, but its role in decision-making remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of autonomic activity, specifically skin conductance responses (SCRs), in Huntington's disease during a risky decision-making task.
  • To compare SCR patterns between individuals with HD and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A computerized Simulated Gambling Task (SGT) was administered to 15 participants with HD and 16 healthy controls.
  • Skin conductance responses (SCRs) were measured during task performance to assess autonomic activity.

Main Results:

  • The study replicated previous findings of a performance deficit in HD during the SGT.
  • Healthy controls exhibited increased SCRs following disadvantageous choices and losses.
  • Individuals with HD did not show differential SCRs between wins and losses, suggesting altered emotional processing of outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Autonomic responses to negative feedback are altered in Huntington's disease.
  • The diminished impact of loss on decision-making processes in HD may contribute to risky choices and impaired judgment.

More Related Videos

An Automated T-maze Based Apparatus and Protocol for Analyzing Delay- and Effort-based Decision Making in Free Moving Rodents07:42

An Automated T-maze Based Apparatus and Protocol for Analyzing Delay- and Effort-based Decision Making in Free Moving Rodents

Published on: August 2, 2018

Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice08:27

Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice

Published on: March 11, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Huntington Disease l: Introduction01:21

Huntington Disease l: Introduction

Huntington disease or HD is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.PathophysiologyIt is caused by expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in the HTT gene on chromosome 4 (4p16.3), producing an abnormal huntingtin protein with an expanded polyglutamine tract. This misfolded protein disrupts cellular function, leading to neuronal death. Normal alleles have ≤26 repeats, 27–35 are intermediate (risk of expansion), 36–39 show reduced penetrance,...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment01:24

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...