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Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
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The effect of cognitive challenge on delay discounting
Gabriel J Aranovich1, Samuel M McClure2, Susanna Fryer3
1Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Neuroimage
|September 23, 2015
Summary
Cognitive overload can impair impulse control by reducing dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity. However, strong working memory may protect cognitive control functions from such challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Decision Making
Background:
- The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is crucial for impulse control.
- Excessive stress and cognitive demand can temporarily impair DLPFC function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cognitive challenges affect DLPFC activity and reward preferences.
- To explore the role of working memory capacity in mitigating these effects.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain activity.
- Participants underwent a capacity-exceeding cognitive challenge.
- Working memory task performance was assessed.
Main Results:
- Cognitive challenges led to decreased DLPFC activity.
- This decrease correlated with an increased preference for immediate rewards.
- The impact of cognitive challenge was inversely related to working memory capacity.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive overload can compromise impulse control via DLPFC suppression.
- Higher working memory capacity may buffer against the detrimental effects of cognitive challenges on decision-making.
- Working memory ability could be a protective factor for cognitive control.
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