We review the key findings in the application of neuroeconomics to the study of addiction.
Although there are not “bright line” boundaries between neuroeconomics and other areas
of behavioral science, neuroeconomics coheres around the topic of the neural representations
of “Value” (synonymous with the “decision utility” of behavioral economics). Neuroeconomics
parameterizes distinct features of Valuation, going beyond the general construct of
“reward sensitivity” widely used in addiction research. We argue that its modeling
refinements might facilitate the identification of neural substrates that contribute
to addiction. We highlight two areas of neuroeconomics that have been particularly
productive. The first is research on neural correlates of delay discounting (reduced
Valuation of rewards as a function of their delay). The second is work that models
how Value is learned as a function of “prediction-error” signaling. Although both
areas are part of the neuroeconomic program, delay discounting research grows directly
out of behavioral economics, whereas prediction-error work is grounded in models of
learning. We also consider efforts to apply neuroeconomics to the study of self-control
and discuss challenges for this area. We argue that neuroeconomic work has the potential
to generate breakthrough research in addiction science.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 23, 2012
Accepted:
March 15,
2012
Received in revised form:
February 14,
2012
Received:
December 9,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
