跨期决策的神经机制:基于体素形态学和弥散张量成像研究的证据

The Neural Basis of Intertemporal Choice: Evidences from Voxel-Based Morphometry and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

目前神经经济学的首要目标是探讨人们经济决策背后的认知机制和神经基础。随着脑成像技术的发展,人们对于脑结构和功能的认识也越来越深入。跨期决策作为经济决策领域的一个重要分支,对其理解可以丰富决策的理论内容。首先,梳理了关于跨期决策神经机制研究,阐述了跨期决策的四种理论,分别为单一评价理论(single-valuation theory)、双评价理论(dual-valuation theory)、自我控制理论(self-control theory)和自我参照加工理论(self-referential processing theory),以及脑损伤研究证据。其次,分别整理了基于体素形态学和弥散张量成像技术在跨期决策领域中的应用,并揭示前额叶灰质和白质体积以及背外侧前额叶-纹状体神经纤维连接对于决策冲动性的影响。最后,未来研究需要注意其在研究方法、认知过程、决策冲动性评估模型上的创新与突破。

The primary goal of neuroeconomics decision-making. With the development of brain is to explore the cognitive and neural basis of economic imaging technology, there are more advanced techniques used to explore the mechanism of economic decision-making. As an important branch of economic decision-making, inter-temporal choice can provide new insight into the economic decision-making. In this review, we first summarized the neural mechanisms of inter-temporal choices and the four theories of the intertemporal choice, including single-system valuation theory, dual-system valuation theory, self-control theory and self-referential processing theory. Then, we reviewed the evidences for inter-temporal choice from recent brain lesion studies. In addition, the neural basis of inter-temporal choice uncovered by VBM-based and DTI-based studies were reviewed and discussed in detail. The frontal gray matter and white matter volume played a large role in the impulsivity of decision-making. The dorsolateral prefrontal-striatal white matter fibers also influenced the impulsivity of decision-making. Finally, we addressed the limitations in current studies and future research direction including research methods, cognitive processes, decision impulsivity and assessment models.