Failing to learn from negative prediction errors: Obesity is associated with alterations in a fundamental neural learning mechanism.

摘要: Prediction errors (PEs) encode the difference between expected and actual action outcomes in brain via dopaminergic modulation. Integration of these learning signals ensures efficient behavioral adaptation. Obesity has recently been linked to altered fronto-striatal circuits, thus implying impairments cognitive domains that rely on its integrity. 28 obese 30 lean human participants performed an implicit stimulus-response paradigm inside fMRI scanner. Computational modeling psycho-physiological interaction (PPI) analysis was utilized for assessing PE-related associated functional connectivity. We show obesity is with insufficient incorporation negative PEs into adaptation even a non-food context, suggesting differences fundamental neural mechanism. Obese subjects were less using improve performance, despite proper coding striatum. further observed lower coupling ventral striatum supplementary motor area subsequent PEs. Importantly, strength predicted task performance PE utilization. These findings specifically response PEs, alterations function connectivity within system. Recognition as central characteristic hopefully paves way rethink established intervention strategies: Differential sensitivity positive should be considered when designing programs. Measures relying penalization unwanted behavior may prove effective than alternative approaches.