Dynamic Functional Connectivity Between Amygdala and Cognitive Control Network Predicts Delay Discounting in Older...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Adolescence is characterized by heightened reward sensitivity.
• Delay discounting, the devaluation of rewards based on delay, is a key aspect of decision-making.
• Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying delay discounting in adolescents is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive role of dynamic functional connectivity between the cognitive control network and the amygdala in delay discounting behavior.
• To examine these relationships across different age groups: younger adolescents, older adolescents, and young adults.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sliding-window approach to compute dynamic functional connectivity between the left/right amygdala and the cognitive control network.
• Analyzed data from 448 participants across three age groups.
• Employed hierarchical models to assess predictive power for delay discounting under different reward amount conditions.

Main Results:

• Dynamic functional connectivity of the left amygdala with the cognitive control network significantly predicted delay discounting in older adolescents for larger reward amounts.
• This stronger connectivity correlated with a preference for immediate rewards.
• No significant predictions were found for the right amygdala, smaller reward amounts, younger adolescents, or adults.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic functional connectivity, specifically involving the left amygdala, plays a role in modulating delay discounting in older adolescents.
• The findings highlight age- and condition-specific neural mechanisms influencing reward valuation during adolescence.
• Future research could explore interventions targeting this connectivity to influence decision-making.