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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
13:04
Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
Published on: September 19, 2012
Modulation of human risky decision making by flunitrazepam
Scott D Lane1, Don R Cherek, Sylvain O Nouvion
1Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, 1300 Moursund Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. scott.d.lane@uth.tmc.edu
Psychopharmacology
|October 6, 2007
Summary
High doses of flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine, increase risky decision-making in adults. These drug effects on decision processes are more akin to alprazolam than alcohol.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
- Decision Science
Background:
- GABA-modulating drugs, like benzodiazepines, can disinhibit behavior, increasing risk-taking.
- Flunitrazepam misuse is linked to harmful behaviors such as theft, violence, and accidents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dose-response relationships between flunitrazepam and risky decision-making in humans.
- To analyze flunitrazepam's effects on decision-making processes using the expectancy valence model (EVM).
Main Methods:
- 12 adults received placebo or flunitrazepam (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/70 kg) in a within-subject design.
- A laboratory measure of risky decision-making assessed subjective effects, response rates, and choice distributions.
- Computational modeling (EVM) analyzed decision-making parameters like valence, learning/memory, and outcome sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Flunitrazepam administration resulted in dose-related increases in risky choices and altered subjective effects and response rates.
- High flunitrazepam doses significantly impacted learning/memory and consistency parameters in decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Flunitrazepam, at sufficient doses, elevates risky decision-making.
- The observed decision-making changes resemble those from alcohol and alprazolam but mechanistic similarities align more with alprazolam.
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