Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia Are Associated with Abnormal Effort-Cost Computations
Open accessAbstract
Background Decision-making studies show that response selection is influenced by the "effort cost" associated with response alternatives. These effort-cost calculations seem to be mediated by a distributed neural circuit including the anterior cingulate cortex and subcortical targets of dopamine neurons. On the basis of evidence of dysfunction in these systems in schizophrenia (SZ), we examined whether effort-cost computations were impaired in SZ patients and whether these deficits were associated with negative symptoms.Methods Effort-cost decision-making performance was evaluated in 44 patients with SZ and 36 demographically matched control subjects. Subjects performed a computerized task where they were presented with a series of 30 trials in which they could choose between making 20 button presses for $1 or 100 button presses for higher amounts (varying from $3 to $7 across trials). Probability of reward receipt was also manipulated to determine whether certain (100%) or uncertain (50%) reward affected effort-based decision-making.Results Patients were less likely than control subjects to select the high-effort response alternative during the 100% probability condition, particularly when the value payoff was highest (i.e., $6 and $7). Patients were also less likely to select the high-effort option on trials after reward in the 50% probability condition. Furthermore, these impairments in effort-cost computations were greatest among patients with elevated negative symptoms. There was no association with haloperidol equivalent dosage.Conclusions The motivational impairments of SZ might be associated with abnormalities in estimating the "cost" of effortful behavior. This increased effort cost might undermine volition.
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Insensitivity to reward has been shown across all stages of schizophrenia and has been associated with negative symptoms, especially anhedonia, and cognitive deficits.
“Insensitivity to reward has been shown across all stages of schizophrenia and has been associated with negative symptoms, especially anhedonia, and cognitive deficits.55,61,119,120”
From Investigating disorder-specific and transdiagnostic alterations in model-based and model-free decision-making (2024) · cites this paper as [61]
Our findings are in line with previous literature that these patients generally possess an impairment in reward anticipation and effort-based decision-making.
“Thus, our findings are in line with previous literature elucidating that these patients generally possess an impairment in reward anticipation and effort-based decision-making.8,61”
From Investigating disorder-specific and transdiagnostic alterations in model-based and model-free decision-making (2024) · cites this paper as [61]
Impaired reward processing is associated with such symptoms across different psychiatric disorders.
“This is in line with previous literature suggesting that impaired reward processing is associated with such symptoms across different psychiatric disorders.56,61,121–125”
From Investigating disorder-specific and transdiagnostic alterations in model-based and model-free decision-making (2024) · cites this paper as [61]
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- Authors
- Gold, J. M., Strauss, G. P., Waltz, J. A., Robinson, B. M., Brown, J. K., & Frank, M. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
- Venue
- Biological Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2013-07
- Volume
- 74
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 130-136
- ISSN
- 0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3703817
- OpenAlex
- W2143737070
- Cited by
- 421
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 45 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 12
- FWCI
- 30.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01mh080066-10)
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH080066)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- schizophrenia, negative symptoms, effort-based decision making, effort cost, response selection, reward probability, anterior cingulate cortex, dopamine, volition, motivational impairment
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Behavioral Symptoms, Decision Making, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Reward, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology
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