Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences

Michael A. Grubb; Agnieszka Tymula; Sharon Gilaie-Dotan; Paul W. Glimcher; Ifat Levy

doi:10.1038/ncomms13822

Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences

Michael A. Grubb, Agnieszka Tymula, Sharon Gilaie-Dotan, Paul W. Glimcher, Ifat Levy

Neural Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Many decisions involve uncertainty, or 'risk', regarding potential outcomes, and substantial empirical evidence has demonstrated that human aging is associated with diminished tolerance for risky rewards. Grey matter volume in a region of right posterior parietal cortex (rPPC) is predictive of preferences for risky rewards in young adults, with less grey matter volume indicating decreased tolerance for risk. That grey matter loss in parietal regions is a part of healthy aging suggests that diminished rPPC grey matter volume may have a role in modulating risk preferences in older adults. Here we report evidence for this hypothesis and show that age-related declines in rPPC grey matter volume better account for age-related changes in risk preferences than does age per se. These results provide a basis for understanding the neural mechanisms that mediate risky choice and a glimpse into the neurodevelopmental dynamics that impact decision-making in an aging population.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	13822
Journal	Nature communications
Volume	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13822
State	Published - Dec 13 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Physics and Astronomy

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10.1038/ncomms13822

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title = "Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences",

abstract = "Many decisions involve uncertainty, or 'risk', regarding potential outcomes, and substantial empirical evidence has demonstrated that human aging is associated with diminished tolerance for risky rewards. Grey matter volume in a region of right posterior parietal cortex (rPPC) is predictive of preferences for risky rewards in young adults, with less grey matter volume indicating decreased tolerance for risk. That grey matter loss in parietal regions is a part of healthy aging suggests that diminished rPPC grey matter volume may have a role in modulating risk preferences in older adults. Here we report evidence for this hypothesis and show that age-related declines in rPPC grey matter volume better account for age-related changes in risk preferences than does age per se. These results provide a basis for understanding the neural mechanisms that mediate risky choice and a glimpse into the neurodevelopmental dynamics that impact decision-making in an aging population.",

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AU - Grubb, Michael A.

AU - Tymula, Agnieszka

AU - Gilaie-Dotan, Sharon

AU - Glimcher, Paul W.

AU - Levy, Ifat

PY - 2016/12/13

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Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences

Abstract

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