The Reward Positivity is Enhanced in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder

Authors

Garima Singh, University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque NM, 87131 USA
Ethan Campbell, University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque NM, 87131 USA
Jeremy Hogeveen, University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque NM, 87131 USA
Katie Witkiewitz, University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque NM, 87131 USA
Eric Claus, University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque NM, 87131 USA
James Cavanagh, University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque NM, 87131 USA ; Mind Research Network, 1101 Yale Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

The EEG feature known as the Reward Positivity (RewP) is known to reflect a combination of the surprise and affective value of reward feedback. Here we investigated if individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder had an enhanced RewP to alcohol stimuli used as rewarding feedback, suggesting a mechanism for linking biased attention with reward integration for addiction-specific stimuli. Community participants aged 18-55 years are being recruited and demographically matched across the two groups: AUD (AUDIT>5) and Control (AUDIT<3). Participants completed a reinforcement learning task with affective stimuli as feedback while EEG was recorded. A 2*2 ANOVA was conducted to examine how affective image (puppies vs. alcohol) and group (AUD, CTL) influenced RewP amplitude. Preliminary results suggest that a main effect of group (p=.104) although there was no effect of affective imagery (p=.157) nor an interaction (p=.637). Overall, the findings suggest that AUD have larger reward positivity, but it does not appear to be modulated by alcohol conditions.

Comments

Acknowledgements: This research has been funded by the Grand Challenge Grant awarded to Dr. James F. Cavanagh (PI).

Poster presented at the Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day 2021

Recommended Citation

Singh, Garima; Ethan Campbell; Jeremy Hogeveen; Katie Witkiewitz; Eric Claus; and James Cavanagh. "The Reward Positivity is Enhanced in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder." (2021). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc-bbhrd/30