The neural basis of risky decision-making in a blackjack task

Neuroreport. 2007 Sep 17;18(14):1507-10. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e3282ef7565.

Abstract

To investigate the neural substrates of risky decision making in gambling tasks, we recorded event-related potentials while participants engaged in a modified blackjack game. We focused on the high-conflict condition (probability of losing approximately 50%) and low-conflict condition (probability of losing approximately 20%). We were also interested in the difference between risky and conservative responses under high-conflict conditions. In the 220-320 and 500-600 ms time windows, high-conflict conditions elicited more negative event-related potential deflections than low-conflict conditions. In the latter time window, risky conditions elicited more negative event-related potential deflections than conservative conditions. The N2 (220-320 ms) and N500 (500-600 ms) provide evidence for the dissociation of neural circuits between perceptual and response conflicts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Decision Making / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electrooculography
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Female
  • Games, Experimental*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk*