Abstract
Individual differences in how people learn-from and respond-to reward-associated cues in the environment are a key risk factor the development of addictive conduct (Everitt et al., 2008; Hogarth et al., 2013). Addiction is a chronic disorder with a high prevalence in the population and constitutes one of the leading causes of premature death (Abbafati et al., 2020). However, not everyone has the same vulnerability to addiction and only 15–30% of individuals that engage in recreational drug use develop addiction (Wagner, 2002). In line with the PNRR mission to promote the search for new solutions for disease prevention (strategic topic of Human Wellbeing, Cluster Health), the present project aims to shed new light on the behavioral and neural underpinnings of two behavioral phenotypes that constitute a promising model to identify individuals at risk of developing addiction, namely sign-tracking and goal-tracking phenotype. When an association between a cue (sign) and a reward (goal) is formed via associative learning, sign- and goal-tracker individuals present some crucial differences: while the cue acts as a reward predictor for both groups, only for sign-trackers the cue becomes desirable and elicits a phasic dopaminergic response (Flagel et al., 2011; Robinson et al., 2014). The propensity to sign-track has been strongly associated with vulnerability toward addictive conduct (Flagel et al., 2011; Tomie et al., 2008). However, not all sign-trackers develop addiction, thus suggesting that other crucial factors have yet to be considered. The present project proposes that sign-tracking results from the combination of an exaggerated motivational response elicited by the reward cue together with a low capability to exert inhibitory control over behavioral responses, thus offering a novel account that challenges current theories of addiction. Exploiting our cutting-edge methodology (Garofalo & di Pellegrino, 2015), we will acquire converging behavioral and neurophysiological evidence in healthy individuals (with different degrees of vulnerability to develop addiction) and people suffering from tobacco use disorder. Overall, the main outcome of the project will be to provide a novel preclinical model of addiction, based on individual differences in motivational and inhibitory control. The project will be implemented over 24 months in close collaboration between two Research Units with solid theoretical and methodological expertise on the topic of interest and the techniques involved. We will follow a path from strengthening scientific evidence to informing clinical practice, reaching maximum divulgation of the project’s result.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Sara Garofalo
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari"
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 225.000,00
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 113.000,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
30/11/2023
Data di fine:
29/11/2025
