Journal Article

Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences

Published: 2016

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.

Authors

Centre Member

Agnieszka Tymula
Ifat LevyMichael A. Grubb

Centre Member

Paul W. Glimcher
Sharon Gilaie-Dotan

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Citation

Grubb, M. A., Tymula, A., Gilaie-Dotan, S., Glimcher, P. W., & Levy, I. (2016). Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences. Nature communications, 7, 13822.