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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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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
Serotonin shapes risky decision making in monkeys.
Arwen B Long1, Cynthia M Kuhn, Michael L Platt
1Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Box 3209, Durham, NC 27710, USA. arwen@neuro.duke.edu
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|June 26, 2009
Summary
Lowering brain serotonin in macaques reduced their preference for safe choices, indicating serotonin
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Economics
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Individual differences in risk-taking behavior are not well understood.
- Serotonin signaling is implicated in pathological decision-making, but direct evidence is limited.
- A suitable animal model is needed to study serotonin's role in risky decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of serotonin in risk-sensitive decision-making.
- To examine how acute serotonin reduction affects choice behavior in a gambling task.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets for disorders involving pathological risk preferences.
Main Methods:
- Dietary rapid tryptophan depletion (RTD) was used to acutely lower brain serotonin in three macaques.
- Monkeys performed a simple gambling task involving risky and safe options for fluid rewards.
- Plasma tryptophan levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to confirm RTD efficacy.
Main Results:
- Reducing brain serotonin synthesis decreased the preference for the safe option.
- Lowering serotonin function significantly reduced the premium required to switch to the risky option.
- Diminished serotonin signaling enhanced the relative subjective value of the risky option.
Conclusions:
- Serotonin plays a crucial role in risk-sensitive decision-making.
- Reduced serotonin signaling increases the subjective value of risky choices.
- Findings suggest potential pharmacological interventions for pathological risk-taking behaviors.
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