Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-15-2021

Abstract

Little research has assessed explore-exploit behavior in addiction using drug cues and even fewer studies have measured the neural activity underlying these behaviors. The present study aims to explore brain mechanisms of disordered decision-making in alcohol use disorder (AUD) through electroencephalography (EEG) during performance of a novelty bandit task with alcohol imagery and using a validated computational model of explore-exploit dynamics. Individuals with AUD (n = 28) and age and sex-matched controls (n = 27) showed differences in choice behavior and showed differences in EEG activity as a function of exploratory behavior, chosen stimulus type, and explore-exploit computational parameters. Individuals with AUD also showed a relationship between self-reported symptom severity and exploratory behavior as well as EEG activity and chosen stimulus type. These findings indicate that AUD may be characterized by aberrant exploratory behavior that relates to markers of functional cortical dynamics.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Jeremy Hogeveen

Second Committee Member

James Cavanagh

Third Committee Member

Nathan Pentkowski

Language

English

Keywords

alcohol, addiction, alcohol use disorder, exploration, computational neuroscience, explore-exploit

Document Type

Thesis

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