An Exploratory Study of an fMRI Reward-Learning Paradigm in Developing Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Adolescent Development
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are increasingly popular among adolescents, yet their impact on the developing adolescent brain remains under-researched.
• Research challenges include obtaining consent, adolescent disclosure, and the rapid evolution of vaping products.
• Understanding these impacts is crucial for public health and targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate reward sensitivity and cognitive flexibility in adolescents using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• To adapt and test a probabilistic reversal learning task for assessing brain function in adolescents.
• To establish a foundation for future research on the neurobiological effects of ENDS in young populations.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study utilizing fMRI to scan participants aged 13-19 years.
• Adaptation of a probabilistic reversal learning task previously used in adult studies.
• Analysis focused on reward sensitivity (win-stay vs. lose-stay) and cognitive flexibility (lose-shift vs. lose-stay) contrasts.

Main Results:

• Seven non-users completed the fMRI analysis after exclusions.
• No significant BOLD activation was detected under strict statistical control.
• A liberal threshold revealed clusters in occipital, parietal, and prefrontal regions for reward sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The small sample size likely limited the detection of significant BOLD activation.
• The identified brain regions, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, warrant further investigation.
• This study demonstrates the feasibility of using an fMRI reward-learning paradigm in adolescents for future nicotine research.