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Are sick people really more impulsive?: Investigating inflammation-driven impulsivity.
Annelise A Madison1, Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser2
1Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, USA; Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, USA.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|April 16, 2022
Summary
Inflammation may influence decision-making, but current research on the link between inflammation and impulsivity faces challenges. Future studies need clearer definitions and causal evidence to confirm this relationship.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Inflammatory stimuli, such as infections, trigger sickness behaviors like lethargy and malaise in humans and animals.
- Emerging research suggests a potential link between inflammation and present-focused decision-making, including increased impulsivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically assess the claim that inflammation provokes impulsivity.
- To identify limitations in the existing literature and propose directions for future research.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of preclinical models and clinical intervention studies.
- Analysis of the purported relationship between inflammation and impulsivity.
Main Results:
- The literature presents three key challenges to the inflammation-impulsivity link: imprecise definitions of impulsivity, potential for reverse causality, and a lack of direct causal evidence.
- Existing studies often lack the rigorous design needed to establish a definitive connection.
Conclusions:
- The asserted relationship between inflammation and impulsivity requires further investigation with improved research methodologies.
- Future research should focus on refining the definition of impulsivity, addressing reverse causality, and establishing causal evidence.
