Locus coeruleus integrity is related to an exploitation-based decision-making bias in older adulthood
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Published:2024-05-21
Issue:22
Volume:121
Page:
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ISSN:0027-8424
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Container-title:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
Author:
Turner Gary R.1, Hewan Patrick1, Wearn Alfie2, van Dooren Roel3, Wyatt Lindsay1, Leppert Ilana R.4, Baracchini Giulia2ORCID, Hughes Colleen2, Williams Kayla M.2, Sylvain Elisabeth5, Tremblay-Mercier Jennifer5, Poirier Judes56, Villeneuve Sylvia456ORCID, Tardif Christine247, Spreng R. Nathan24568ORCID, , Aumont-Rodrigue Gabriel, Badawy Mohamed, Baillet Sylvain, Bailly Julie, Baril Andree-Ann, Bohbot Veronique, Boisvert Lianne, Breitner John C.S., Chakravarty Mallar, Collins Louis, Cunningham Nolan-Patrick, Dadar Mahsa, Das Samir, Dauar-Tedeschi Marina, Dery Christine, Ducharme Simon, Élie Marie Josée, Evans Alan, Fajardo Valdez Alfonso, Fonov Vladimir, Gallago Jonathan, Geddes Maiya R., Hoge Rick, Hudon Louise, Ituria-Medina Yasser, Javanray Mohammadali, Jean Gabriel, Labonte Anne, Lalancette Marc, Munter Lisa-Marie, Bruneau Laurence Maligne, Menes Julien, Mohammediyan Bery, Multhaup Gerhard, Capota Eugenia Nita, Ourry Valentin, Picard Cynthia, Poirier Judes, Qiu Ting, Quesnel Marc James, Rajah Natasha, Raoult Jean-Michel, Remz Jordana, Rosa-Neto Pedro, Soucy Jean-Paul, Spreng R. Nathan, St-Onge Frederic, Sylvain Elisabeth, Tardif Christine, Tremblay-Mercier Jennifer, Tullo Stephanie, Vachon-Presseau Etienne, Villeneuve Sylvia, Yakoub Yara
Affiliation:
1. Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada 2. Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada 3. Institutes of Psychology & Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands 4. McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC H2A 2B4, Canada 5. Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC H4H 1R3, Canada 6. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada 7. Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada 8. Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
Abstract
Optimal decision-making balances exploration for new information against exploitation of known rewards, a process mediated by the locus coeruleus and its norepinephrine projections. We predicted that an exploitation-bias that emerges in older adulthood would be associated with lower microstructural integrity of the locus coeruleus. Leveraging in vivo histological methods from quantitative MRI-magnetic transfer saturation—we provide evidence that older age is associated with lower locus coeruleus integrity. Critically, we demonstrate that an exploitation bias in older adulthood, assessed with a foraging task, is sensitive and specific to lower locus coeruleus integrity. Because the locus coeruleus is uniquely vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease pathology, our findings suggest that aging, and a presymptomatic trajectory of Alzheimer’s related decline, may fundamentally alter decision-making abilities in later life.
Funder
Alzheimer's Association HHS | NIH | National Institute on Aging Canadian Government | Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Publisher
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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