Risk-Taking Behavior in a Computerized Driving Task: Brain Activation Correlates of Decision-Making, Outcome, and Peer Influence in Male Adolescents

摘要: Increased propensity for risky behavior in adolescents, particularly peer groups, is thought to reflect maturational imbalance between reward processing and cognitive control systems that affect decision-making. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigate brain correlates of risk-taking effects influence 18–19-year-old male adolescents. The subjects were divided into low high groups using either personality tests or rates a simulated driving task. fMRI data analyzed decision-making (whether take risk at intersections) outcome (pass crash) phases, the competition. Personality test-based showed no difference amount (similarly increased during competition) activation. When defined by actual task performance, activated two areas left medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) significantly more than risk-takers. In entire sample, decision-specific activation was found anterior dorsal cingulate, superior parietal cortex, basal ganglia (including nucleus accumbens), midbrain, thalamus, hypothalamus. Peer competition outcome-related right caudate head cerebellar vermis sample. Our results suggest (rather lateral) PFC striatum most specific adolescents situation, stronger conflict thus effort risks risk-takers, anticipation decisions, respectively. nucleus, positive (pass) competition, further suggests enhanced under influence.