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Rutsuko Ito - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Relationship between voluntary ethanol drinking and approach-avoidance biases in the face of motivational conflict: novel sex-dependent associations in rats
Psychopharmacology, 2021Co-Authors: Tanner A. Mcnamara, Rutsuko ItoAbstract:Rationale Aberrant approach-avoidance conflict processing may contribute to compulsive seeking that characterizes addiction. Exploration of the relationship between drugs of abuse and approach-avoidance behavior remains limited, especially with ethanol. Objectives To investigate the effects of voluntary ethanol consumption on approach-avoidance conflict behavior and to examine the potential approach/avoidance bias to predict drinking in male and female rats. Methods Long-Evans rats consumed ethanol for 5 weeks under the intermittent access two-bottle choice (IA2BC) paradigm. Approach-avoidance tendencies were assessed before and after IA2BC drinking using a previously established cued approach-avoidance conflict maze task and the elevated plus maze (EPM). Results Female rats displayed higher consumption of and preference for ethanol than males. In the conflict task, males showed greater approach bias towards cues predicting conflict than females. In females only, a median split and regression analysis of cued-conflict preference scores revealed that the more conflict-avoidant group displayed higher intake and preference for ethanol in the first few weeks of drinking. In both sexes, ethanol drinking did not affect cued-conflict preference, but ethanol exposure led to increased time spent in the central hub in the males only. Finally, anxiety levels in EPM predicted subsequent onset of ethanol drinking in males only. Conclusions Our results highlight sex and individual differences in both drinking and approach-avoidance bias in the face of cued conflict and further suggest that cued-conflict preference should be examined as a potential predictor of ethanol drinking. Ethanol exposure may also affect the timing of decision-making in the face of conflict.
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The ventral hippocampus is necessary for cue-elicited, but not outcome driven approach-avoidance conflict decisions: a novel operant choice decision-making task.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2020Co-Authors: Bilgehan Çavdaroğlu, Sadia Riaz, Andy C. H. Lee, Elton H. L. Yeung, Rutsuko ItoAbstract:Approach-avoidance conflict is induced when an organism encounters a stimulus that carries both positive and negative attributes. Accumulating evidence implicates the ventral hippocampus (VH) in the detection and resolution of approach-avoidance conflict, largely on the basis of maze-based tasks assaying innate and conditioned responses to situations of conflict. However, its role in discrete trial approach-avoidance decision-making has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we designed a novel cued operant conflict decision-making task in which rats were required to choose and respond for a low reward option or high reward option paired with varying shock intensities on a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding schedule. Post training, the VH was chemogenetically inhibited while animals performed the task with the usual outcomes delivered, and with the presentation of cues associated with the reward vs. conflict options only (extinction condition). We found that VH inhibition led to an avoidance of the conflict option and longer latency to choose this option when decision-making was being made on the basis of cues alone with no outcomes. Consistent with these findings, VH-inhibited animals spent more time in the central component of the elevated plus maze (EPM), indicating a potential deficit in decision-making under innate forms of approach-avoidance conflict. Taken together, these findings implicate the VH in cue-driven approach-avoidance decisions in the face of motivational conflict.
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Dissociable roles of the nucleus accumbens D1 and D2 receptors in regulating cue-elicited approach-avoidance conflict decision-making
Psychopharmacology, 2018Co-Authors: David Nguyen, Victoria Fugariu, Suzanne Erb, Rutsuko ItoAbstract:Rationale Approach and avoidance decisions are made when an animal experiences a state of motivational conflict inflicted by stimuli imbued with both positive and negative valences. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a site where valenced information and action selection converge, has recently been found to be critically involved in the resolution of approach-avoidance conflict. However, the individual roles of the region’s dopamine receptor D1 (D1R)- and D2 (D2R)-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in regulating conflict resolution have not been well established. Objectives Here, we examined the roles of NAc D1R and D2R in cue-elicited approach-avoidance decision-making. Methods Using a conditioned mixed-valence conflict paradigm, rats were initially trained in a radial maze to associate separate visuotactile cues with sucrose reward, foot shock punishment, and no outcome. Following acquisition of the cue-outcome associations, rats were subjected to a conditioned approach-avoidance conflict scenario, in which they were presented with a maze arm containing a superimposition of the reward and punishment cues, and another arm containing neutral cues. Results Post-training intra-NAc D1R antagonism (SCH23390) led to an avoidance of the arm containing the mixed-valence cue over the neutral arm, whereas intra-NAc D2R antagonism (sulpiride) resulted in rats exhibiting a preference for the mixed-valence arm. Conclusion Our results suggest that NAc D1R and D2R exert differential control over decision-making involving cue-elicited approach-avoidance conflict resolution.
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Dissociable roles of the nucleus accumbens D1 and D2 receptors in regulating cue-elicited approach-avoidance conflict decision-making.
Psychopharmacology, 2018Co-Authors: David Nguyen, Victoria Fugariu, Suzanne Erb, Rutsuko ItoAbstract:Approach and avoidance decisions are made when an animal experiences a state of motivational conflict inflicted by stimuli imbued with both positive and negative valences. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a site where valenced information and action selection converge, has recently been found to be critically involved in the resolution of approach-avoidance conflict. However, the individual roles of the region’s dopamine receptor D1 (D1R)- and D2 (D2R)-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in regulating conflict resolution have not been well established. Here, we examined the roles of NAc D1R and D2R in cue-elicited approach-avoidance decision-making. Using a conditioned mixed-valence conflict paradigm, rats were initially trained in a radial maze to associate separate visuotactile cues with sucrose reward, foot shock punishment, and no outcome. Following acquisition of the cue-outcome associations, rats were subjected to a conditioned approach-avoidance conflict scenario, in which they were presented with a maze arm containing a superimposition of the reward and punishment cues, and another arm containing neutral cues. Post-training intra-NAc D1R antagonism (SCH23390) led to an avoidance of the arm containing the mixed-valence cue over the neutral arm, whereas intra-NAc D2R antagonism (sulpiride) resulted in rats exhibiting a preference for the mixed-valence arm. Our results suggest that NAc D1R and D2R exert differential control over decision-making involving cue-elicited approach-avoidance conflict resolution.
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Ventral Hippocampal CA1 and CA3 Differentially Mediate Learned Approach-Avoidance Conflict Processing
Current biology : CB, 2018Co-Authors: Anett Schumacher, Franz R. Villaruel, Alicia Ussling, Sadia Riaz, Andy C. H. Lee, Rutsuko ItoAbstract:Summary Approach-avoidance conflict arises when an animal encounters a stimulus that is associated simultaneously with positive and negative valences [1]. The effective resolution of approach-avoidance conflict is critical for survival and is believed to go awry in a number of mental disorders, such as anxiety and addiction. An accumulation of evidence from both rodents and humans suggests that the ventral hippocampus (anterior in humans) plays a key role in approach-avoidance conflict processing [2–8], with one influential model proposing that this structure modulates behavioral inhibition in the face of conflicting goals by increasing the influence of negative valences [9]. Very little is known, however, about the contributions of specific hippocampal subregions to this process—an important issue given the functional and anatomical heterogeneity of this structure. Using a non-spatial cue-based paradigm in rats, we found that transient pharmacological inactivation of ventral CA1 produced an avoidance of a conflict cue imbued with both learned positive and learned negative outcomes, whereas inactivation of the ventral CA3 resulted in the opposite pattern of behavior, with significant preference for the conflict cue. In contrast, dorsal CA1- and CA3-inactivated rats showed no change in conflict behavior, and furthermore, additional behavioral tasks confirmed that the observed pattern of approach-avoidance findings could not be explained by other factors, such as differential alterations in novelty detection or locomotor activity. Our data demonstrate that ventral CA1 and CA3 subserve distinct and opposing roles in approach-avoidance conflict processing and provide important insight into the functions and circuitry of the ventral hippocampus.
Andrew J Elliot - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Highlighting the difference between approach and avoidance motivation enhances the predictive validity of performance-avoidance goal reports
Motivation and Emotion, 2018Co-Authors: Emily J. Hangen, Andrew J Elliot, Jeremy P. JamiesonAbstract:This research investigated whether highlighting the difference between norm-based approach and avoidance motivation impacts performance goal reporting accuracy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive no instructions, or reading materials indicating that norm-based approach and avoidance motivation are the same (Same condition) or different (Different condition). In Study 1 (N = 978), experimental condition was tested as a moderator of the relation between antecedent variables and performance goal reports. In Study 2 (N = 957), experimental condition was tested as a moderator of the predictive utility of performance goal reports. Both studies showed that while relations with performance-approach goals remained unaffected, experimental condition moderated the relation between performance-avoidance goal reports and their antecedent variables (Study 1), and their process and outcome variables (Study 2). The strongest associations (the most accurate goal reports) came from the different condition. Highlighting the difference between approach and avoidance enhanced the predictive validity of performance-avoidance goal reports. Implications for understanding and measuring achievement goals are discussed.
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Avoidance Motivation and Conservation of Energy
Emotion Review, 2013Co-Authors: Marieke Roskes, Andrew J Elliot, Bernard A. Nijstad, Carsten K. W. De DreuAbstract:Compared to approach motivation, avoidance motivation evokes vigilance, attention to detail, systematic information processing, and the recruitment of cognitive resources. From a conservation of energy perspective it follows that people would be reluctant to engage in the kind of effortful cognitive processing evoked by avoidance motivation, unless the benefits of expending this energy outweigh the costs. We put forward three empirically testable propositions concerning approach and avoidance motivation, investment of energy, and the consequences of such investments. Specifically, we propose that compared to approach-motivated people, avoidance-motivated people (a) carefully select situations in which they exert such cognitive effort, (b) only perform well in the absence of distracters that occupy cognitive resources, and (c) become depleted after exerting such cognitive effort.
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a 3 2 achievement goal model
Journal of Educational Psychology, 2011Co-Authors: Andrew J Elliot, Kou Murayama, Reinhard PekrunAbstract:In the present research, a 3 × 2 model of achievement goals is proposed and tested. The model is rooted in the definition and valence components of competence, and encompasses 6 goal constructs: task-approach, task-avoidance, self-approach, self-avoidance, other-approach, and other-avoidance. The results from 2 studies provided strong support for the proposed model, most notably the need to separate task-based and self-based goals. Studies 1 and 2 yielded data establishing the 3 × 2 structure of achievement goals, and Study 2 documented the antecedents and consequences of each of the goals in the 3 × 2 model. Terminological, conceptual, and applied issues pertaining to the 3 × 2 model are discussed
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Basic Personality Dispositions, Self-Esteem, and Personal Goals: An Approach-Avoidance Analysis.
Journal of Personality, 2006Co-Authors: Sara A. Heimpel, Andrew J Elliot, Joanne V. WoodAbstract:This research examined the hypothesis that self-esteem negatively predicts avoidance (relative to approach) personal goals, as well as the hypothesis that self-esteem mediates the link between indicators of approach and avoidance temperament and avoidance (relative to approach) personal goals. Study 1 established that self-esteem is indeed negatively related to avoidance (relative to approach) goals, even with social desirability concerns controlled. In Study 2, self-esteem was found to mediate the relation between Neuroticism (conceptualized as an indicator of avoidance temperament) and avoidance (relative to approach) personal goals. In Study 3, self-esteem was documented as a mediator of the relation between BAS and BIS sensitivity (conceptualized as indicators of approach and avoidance temperament, respectively) and avoidance (relative to approach) personal goals in the achievement domain. The implications of these findings for our understanding of basic personality dispositions, self-esteem, and personal goals are discussed.
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the hierarchical model of approach avoidance motivation
Motivation and Emotion, 2006Co-Authors: Andrew J ElliotAbstract:Approach motivation is the energization of behav- ior by, or the direction of behavior toward, positive stimuli (objects, events, possibilities), whereas avoidance motiva- tion is the energization of behavior by, or the direction of behavior away from, negative stimuli (objects, events, pos- sibilities). In this article, I provide a brief overview of this distinction between approach and avoidance motivation. In addition, I provide a brief overview of a model of motiva- tion in which this approach-avoidance distinction plays an integral role—the hierarchical model of approach-avoidance motivation.
Jan De Houwer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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On the Nature of Automatically Triggered Approach–Avoidance Behavior
Emotion Review, 2013Co-Authors: Regina Krieglmeyer, Jan De Houwer, Roland DeutschAbstract:Theory suggests that stimulus evaluations automatically evoke approach–avoidance behavior. However, the extent to which approach–avoidance behavior is triggered automatically is not yet clear. Furthermore, the nature of automatically triggered approach–avoidance behavior is controversial. We review research on two views on the type of approach–avoidance behavior that is triggered automatically (arm flexion/extension, distance change). Present evidence supports the distance-change view and corroborates the notion of an automatic pathway from evaluation to distance-change behavior. We discuss underlying mechanisms (direct stimulus–response links, outcome anticipations, goals) as well as implications regarding the flexibility of the evaluation–behavior link.
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on the nature of automatically triggered approach avoidance behavior
Emotion Review, 2013Co-Authors: Regina Krieglmeyer, Jan De Houwer, Roland DeutschAbstract:Theory suggests that stimulus evaluations automatically evoke approach–avoidance behavior. However, the extent to which approach–avoidance behavior is triggered automatically is not yet clear. Furthermore, the nature of automatically triggered approach–avoidance behavior is controversial. We review research on two views on the type of approach–avoidance behavior that is triggered automatically (arm flexion/extension, distance change). Present evidence supports the distance-change view and corroborates the notion of an automatic pathway from evaluation to distance-change behavior. We discuss underlying mechanisms (direct stimulus–response links, outcome anticipations, goals) as well as implications regarding the flexibility of the evaluation–behavior link.
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On the predictive validity of automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies in abstaining alcohol-dependent patients
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2012Co-Authors: Adriaan Spruyt, Jan De Houwer, Helen Tibboel, Bruno Verschuere, Geert Crombez, Paul Verbanck, Catherine Hanak, Damien Brevers, Xavier NoëlAbstract:Abstract Background Prominent addiction models posit that automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies play a critical role in addiction. Nevertheless, only a limited number of studies have actually documented the relationship between relapse and automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies. We compared automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol in 40 abstaining alcohol-dependent patients and 40 controls. We also examined whether individual differences in automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol are predictive of relapse in patients. Methods A Relevant Stimulus Response Compatibility task was used to measure relative approach/avoidance tendencies. In one block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-related pictures and to avoid alcohol-unrelated pictures (i.e., compatible block). In a second block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-unrelated pictures and to move away from alcohol-related pictures (i.e., incompatible block). Patients were tested between 18 and 21 days after they quit drinking. Relapse was assessed 3 months after patients were discharged from the hospital. Results Whereas abstaining alcohol-dependent patients were faster to respond to incompatible trials as compared to compatible trials, participants in the control group showed the exact opposite pattern. Within the patient group, the likelihood of relapse increased as participants were faster to respond to incompatible trials relative to compatible trials. Conclusions Unlike controls, abstaining alcohol-dependent patients revealed a relative avoidance bias rather than relative approach bias. Moreover, relapse rates were found to increase as the relative tendency to avoid alcohol increased. This finding suggests that an avoidance orientation towards alcohol can potentially be harmful in clinical samples.
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On the predictive validity of automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies in abstaining alcohol-dependent patients.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 2012Co-Authors: Adriaan Spruyt, Jan De Houwer, Helen Tibboel, Bruno Verschuere, Geert Crombez, Paul Verbanck, Catherine Hanak, Damien Brevers, Xavier NoëlAbstract:Prominent addiction models posit that automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies play a critical role in addiction. Nevertheless, only a limited number of studies have actually documented the relationship between relapse and automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies. We compared automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol in 40 abstaining alcohol-dependent patients and 40 controls. We also examined whether individual differences in automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol are predictive of relapse in patients. A Relevant Stimulus Response Compatibility task was used to measure relative approach/avoidance tendencies. In one block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-related pictures and to avoid alcohol-unrelated pictures (i.e., compatible block). In a second block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-unrelated pictures and to move away from alcohol-related pictures (i.e., incompatible block). Patients were tested between 18 and 21 days after they quit drinking. Relapse was assessed 3 months after patients were discharged from the hospital. Whereas abstaining alcohol-dependent patients were faster to respond to incompatible trials as compared to compatible trials, participants in the control group showed the exact opposite pattern. Within the patient group, the likelihood of relapse increased as participants were faster to respond to incompatible trials relative to compatible trials. Unlike controls, abstaining alcohol-dependent patients revealed a relative avoidance bias rather than relative approach bias. Moreover, relapse rates were found to increase as the relative tendency to avoid alcohol increased. This finding suggests that an avoidance orientation towards alcohol can potentially be harmful in clinical samples. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Xavier Noël - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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On the predictive validity of automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies in abstaining alcohol-dependent patients
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2012Co-Authors: Adriaan Spruyt, Jan De Houwer, Helen Tibboel, Bruno Verschuere, Geert Crombez, Paul Verbanck, Catherine Hanak, Damien Brevers, Xavier NoëlAbstract:Abstract Background Prominent addiction models posit that automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies play a critical role in addiction. Nevertheless, only a limited number of studies have actually documented the relationship between relapse and automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies. We compared automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol in 40 abstaining alcohol-dependent patients and 40 controls. We also examined whether individual differences in automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol are predictive of relapse in patients. Methods A Relevant Stimulus Response Compatibility task was used to measure relative approach/avoidance tendencies. In one block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-related pictures and to avoid alcohol-unrelated pictures (i.e., compatible block). In a second block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-unrelated pictures and to move away from alcohol-related pictures (i.e., incompatible block). Patients were tested between 18 and 21 days after they quit drinking. Relapse was assessed 3 months after patients were discharged from the hospital. Results Whereas abstaining alcohol-dependent patients were faster to respond to incompatible trials as compared to compatible trials, participants in the control group showed the exact opposite pattern. Within the patient group, the likelihood of relapse increased as participants were faster to respond to incompatible trials relative to compatible trials. Conclusions Unlike controls, abstaining alcohol-dependent patients revealed a relative avoidance bias rather than relative approach bias. Moreover, relapse rates were found to increase as the relative tendency to avoid alcohol increased. This finding suggests that an avoidance orientation towards alcohol can potentially be harmful in clinical samples.
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On the predictive validity of automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies in abstaining alcohol-dependent patients.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 2012Co-Authors: Adriaan Spruyt, Jan De Houwer, Helen Tibboel, Bruno Verschuere, Geert Crombez, Paul Verbanck, Catherine Hanak, Damien Brevers, Xavier NoëlAbstract:Prominent addiction models posit that automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies play a critical role in addiction. Nevertheless, only a limited number of studies have actually documented the relationship between relapse and automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies. We compared automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol in 40 abstaining alcohol-dependent patients and 40 controls. We also examined whether individual differences in automatically activated approach/avoidance tendencies towards alcohol are predictive of relapse in patients. A Relevant Stimulus Response Compatibility task was used to measure relative approach/avoidance tendencies. In one block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-related pictures and to avoid alcohol-unrelated pictures (i.e., compatible block). In a second block of trials, participants were asked to approach alcohol-unrelated pictures and to move away from alcohol-related pictures (i.e., incompatible block). Patients were tested between 18 and 21 days after they quit drinking. Relapse was assessed 3 months after patients were discharged from the hospital. Whereas abstaining alcohol-dependent patients were faster to respond to incompatible trials as compared to compatible trials, participants in the control group showed the exact opposite pattern. Within the patient group, the likelihood of relapse increased as participants were faster to respond to incompatible trials relative to compatible trials. Unlike controls, abstaining alcohol-dependent patients revealed a relative avoidance bias rather than relative approach bias. Moreover, relapse rates were found to increase as the relative tendency to avoid alcohol increased. This finding suggests that an avoidance orientation towards alcohol can potentially be harmful in clinical samples. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Robin L. Aupperle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Test-retest reliability of approach-avoidance conflict decision-making during functional magnetic resonance imaging in healthy adults.
Human brain mapping, 2021Co-Authors: Timothy J Mcdermott, Namik Kirlic, Elisabeth Akeman, James Touthang, Ashley N Clausen, Rayus Kuplicki, Robin L. AupperleAbstract:Neural and behavioral mechanisms during approach-avoidance conflict decision-making are relevant across various psychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety disorders. Studies using approach-avoidance conflict paradigms in healthy adults have identified preliminary neural mechanisms, but findings must be replicated and demonstrated as reliable before further application. This study sought to replicate previous findings and examine test-retest reliability of behavioral (approach behavior, reaction time) and neural (regions of interest [ROIs]) responses during an approach-avoidance conflict task conducted during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Thirty healthy adults completed an approach-avoidance conflict task during fMRI on two occasions (mean interval: 17 days; range: 11-32). Effects of task condition during three task phases (decision-making, affective outcome and monetary reward) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated across time points. Results replicated that approach behavior was modulated by conflict during decision-making. ROI activations were replicated such that dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) was modulated by conflict during decision-making, and dACC, striatum, and anterior insula were modulated by valence during affective outcomes (p's
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Animal to human translational paradigms relevant for approach avoidance conflict decision making.
Behaviour research and therapy, 2017Co-Authors: Namik Kirlic, Jared W. Young, Robin L. AupperleAbstract:Avoidance behavior in clinical anxiety disorders is often a decision made in response to approach-avoidance conflict, resulting in a sacrifice of potential rewards to avoid potential negative affective consequences. Animal research has a long history of relying on paradigms related to approach-avoidance conflict to model anxiety-relevant behavior. This approach includes punishment-based conflict, exploratory, and social interaction tasks. There has been a recent surge of interest in the translation of paradigms from animal to human, in efforts to increase generalization of findings and support the development of more effective mental health treatments. This article briefly reviews animal tests related to approach-avoidance conflict and results from lesion and pharmacologic studies utilizing these tests. We then provide a description of translational human paradigms that have been developed to tap into related constructs, summarizing behavioral and neuroimaging findings. Similarities and differences in findings from analogous animal and human paradigms are discussed. Lastly, we highlight opportunities for future research and paradigm development that will support the clinical utility of this translational work.
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Neural substrates of approach-avoidance conflict decision-making.
Human brain mapping, 2014Co-Authors: Robin L. Aupperle, Andrew J. Melrose, Alex J. Francisco, Martin P. Paulus, Murray B. SteinAbstract:Animal approach-avoidance conflict paradigms have been used extensively to operationalize anxiety, quantify the effects of anxiolytic agents, and probe the neural basis of fear and anxiety. Results from human neuroimaging studies support that a frontal-striatal-amygdala neural circuitry is important for approach-avoidance learning. However, the neural basis of decision-making is much less clear in this context. Thus, we combined a recently developed human approach-avoidance paradigm with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify neural substrates underlying approach-avoidance conflict decision-making. Fifteen healthy adults completed the approach-avoidance conflict (AAC) paradigm during fMRI. Analyses of variance were used to compare conflict to nonconflict (avoid-threat and approach-reward) conditions and to compare level of reward points offered during the decision phase. Trial-by-trial amplitude modulation analyses were used to delineate brain areas underlying decision-making in the context of approach/avoidance behavior. Conflict trials as compared to the nonconflict trials elicited greater activation within bilateral anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and caudate, as well as right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC). Right caudate and lateral PFC activation was modulated by level of reward offered. Individuals who showed greater caudate activation exhibited less approach behavior. On a trial-by-trial basis, greater right lateral PFC activation related to less approach behavior. Taken together, results suggest that the degree of activation within prefrontal-striatal-insula circuitry determines the degree of approach versus avoidance decision-making. Moreover, the degree of caudate and lateral PFC activation related to individual differences in approach-avoidance decision-making. Therefore, the approach-avoidance conflict paradigm is ideally suited to probe anxiety-related processing differences during approach-avoidance decision-making.
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Neural systems underlying approach and avoidance in anxiety disorders
Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 2010Co-Authors: Robin L. Aupperle, Martin P. PaulusAbstract:Approach-avoidance conflict is an important psychological concept that has been used extensively to better understand cognition and emotion. This review focuses on neural systems involved in approach, avoidance, and conflict decision making, and how these systems overlap with implicated neural substrates of anxiety disorders. In particular, the role of amygdala, insula, ventral striatal, and prefrontal regions are discussed with respect to approach and avoidance behaviors. Three specific hypotheses underlying the dysfunction in anxiety disorders are proposed, including: (i) over-representation of avoidance valuation related to limbic overactivation; (ii) under- or over-representation of approach valuation related to attenuated or exaggerated striatal activation respectively; and (iii) insufficient integration and arbitration of approach and avoidance valuations related to attenuated orbitofrontal cortex activation. These dysfunctions can be examined experimentally using versions of existing decision-making paradigms, but may also require new translational and innovative approaches to probe approach-avoidance conflict and related neural systems in anxiety disorders.
