Precision Imaging for Intraindividual Investigation of the Reward Response.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research often relies on between-person comparisons, which are limited by low test-retest reliability.
• Understanding within-person processes requires studies that track changes in brain function and behavior over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of between-person versus within-person analyses in fMRI research.
• To examine the reliability and intraindividual variance of the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) response to reward tasks.
• To explore the impact of mood and alertness on reward processing within individuals.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a novel, intensively sampled fMRI dataset (Night Owls Scan Club) with 44 sessions across four participants.
• Participants completed reward tasks, mood/alertness ratings, and mood manipulations in each session.
• Examined test-retest reliability and intraindividual variance of the reward response.

Main Results:

• Test-retest reliability of the reward response was very low, indicating limited utility for between-person comparisons.
• Mood induction led to small increases in reward anticipation response.
• Mood and alertness explained significant intraindividual variance in reward response, up to 31% for one participant.

Conclusions:

• fMRI BOLD activation to reward tasks is more suitable for within-person than between-person study.
• Intensive longitudinal neuroimaging designs are necessary for capturing meaningful intraindividual brain-behavior relationships.
• Findings challenge traditional between-person approaches in fMRI and advocate for personalized neuroscience.