James MacKillop|Michael Amlung|John Acker|Julia Gray|Courtney L. Brown|James G. Murphy|Lara A. Ray|Lawrence H. Sweet
The Neuroeconomics of Alcohol Demand: An Initial Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Alcohol Cost–Benefit Decision Making in Heavy Drinking Men
University of Georgia|University of Georgia|University of Georgia|University of Georgia|University of Georgia|Brown University|Providence College|University of California, Los Angeles|University of Georgia
neuroeconomics integrates concepts methods psychology economics cognitive neuroscience understand brain makes decisions economics demand refers relationship commoditys consumption cost behavioral studies high alcohol demand consistently associated greater alcohol misuse relatively little known brain processes demand decision making current study initial investigation neural correlates alcohol demand among heavy drinkers using eventrelated functional magnetic resonance imaging fmri paradigm participants n24 selected much would drink varying levels price choices determined access alcohol subsequent bar laboratory selfadministration period decisions drink general greater activity present multiple distinct subunits prefrontal parietal cortices contrast decisions drink demonstrably affected cost alcohol significantly greater activation evident frontostriatal regions suggesting active interplay cognitive deliberation subjective reward value choices also characterized significant deactivation default mode network regions suggesting suppression resulting greater cognitive load across choice types anterior insula notably recruited diverse roles implicating importance interoceptive processing decisionmaking behavior findings reveal neural signatures subserving alcohol costbenefit decision making providing foundation future clinical applications paradigm extending approach understanding neural correlates demand addictive commodities