A translational study of game-theoretic models of social exchanges: serotonin and vulnerability to depression
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Psychiatry
Abstract
Social isolation is known to be a risk factor for medical problems including depression. We also know that the process of recovering from depression is often accompanied by greater involvement with family, friends, and wider social groups. In this project, we will use a variety of techniques including functional brain imaging, pharmacology and game-theory to examine the brain mechanisms that allow people to establish stable patterns of reciprocally cooperative behaviour with a variety of social partners. We will investigate the role of a brain chemical called serotonin (which is important in depression) in learning socially supportive relationships. We will also test whether individuals who are at risk for recurring depression show problems in these forms of social learning. The results will help us link biological mechanisms underlying depression to the problems in social function that increase peoples risk of developing the disorder.
Technical Summary
Social isolation is a significant risk factor for the onset and maintenance of psychiatric illness particularly major depressive disorder (MDD). Conversely, recovery seems often to go along with increased contact with socially supportive networks and an increased value placed upon interactions with individuals within this network. Despite the acknowledged importance of impoverished social exchanges in MDD, there has been little research linking what we know about the neurobiology of the disorder to the social isolation that confers risk for MDD and is exacerbated by the onset of the illness. However, experimental research with animal models suggests that alterations in serotonin neurotransmission can have important effects on social behaviour. We, therefore, propose to use a combination of neuropsychology, pharmacology and functional brain imaging (fMRI) to investigate the role of serotonin in the performance of game-theoretic models of social exchanges as a way of understanding the biological processes that impair social interactions in MDD. Our overarching hypothesis is that serotonin plays a particular role in learning about the reward value of cooperative behaviour, both in the context of dyadic interactions with identified social partners and as part of larger social groups, and that serotonergic dysfunction in individuals with a history of MDD interferes with the development of supportive patterns of social relationships that might help protect against illness relapse.
Publications
Bartz JA
(2011)
Serotonin and the neurochemistry of intimacy.
in Biological psychiatry
Chandler RA
(2009)
Altered risk-aversion and risk-seeking behavior in bipolar disorder.
in Biological psychiatry
Bilderbeck AC
(2011)
Serotonergic activity influences the cognitive appraisal of close intimate relationships in healthy adults.
in Biological psychiatry
Bayliss AP
(2017)
Vulnerability to depression is associated with a failure to acquire implicit social appraisals.
in Cognition & emotion
Schmid Y
(2015)
Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships.
in European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Saunders KE
(2016)
Borderline personality disorder, but not euthymic bipolar I disorder, is associated with prolonged post-error slowing in sensorimotor performance.
in Journal of affective disorders
Rogers RD
(2014)
I want to help you, but I am not sure why: gaze-cuing induces altruistic giving.
in Journal of experimental psychology. General
Saunders KE
(2016)
Insensitivity to the Magnitude of Potential Gains or Losses When Making Risky Choices: Women With Borderline Personality Disorder Compared With Bipolar Disorder and Controls.
in Journal of personality disorders
Yip SW
(2013)
White matter alterations in antipsychotic- and mood stabilizer-naïve individuals with bipolar II/NOS disorder.
in NeuroImage. Clinical
Rogers RD
(2011)
The roles of dopamine and serotonin in decision making: evidence from pharmacological experiments in humans.
in Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Campbell-Meiklejohn D
(2011)
Serotonin and dopamine play complementary roles in gambling to recover losses.
in Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Yip SW
(2012)
Reduced subjective response to acute ethanol administration among young men with a broad bipolar phenotype.
in Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Yip SW
(2015)
Hypoactivation of the ventral and dorsal striatum during reward and loss anticipation in antipsychotic and mood stabilizer-naive bipolar disorder.
in Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Bilderbeck AC
(2014)
Serotonin and social norms: tryptophan depletion impairs social comparison and leads to resource depletion in a multiplayer harvesting game.
in Psychological science
Ward R
(2017)
The role of serotonin in personality inference: tryptophan depletion impairs the identification of neuroticism in the face.
in Psychopharmacology
Masaki C
(2016)
Effects of the potential lithium-mimetic, ebselen, on impulsivity and emotional processing.
in Psychopharmacology
Bilderbeck AC
(2014)
Preliminary evidence that sub-chronic citalopram triggers the re-evaluation of value in intimate partnerships.
in Social cognitive and affective neuroscience
Gao S
(2015)
Second language feedback abolishes the "hot hand" effect during even-probability gambling.
in The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience
| Title | Relationship appraisal materials |
| Description | We have developed a new technique for investigating how people appraise the characteristics of other peoples' relationships as a way of understanding aspects of social function in depression. The material focuses upon inter-personal closeness and dominance. It consists in sets of pictures of heterosexual couples with and without physical contact and a set of associated rating items. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - human |
| Year Produced | 2011 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | We have used this material in pharmacological experiment involving serotonergic agents and in experiments involving people at risk of depressive illnesses. We are writing up the first manuscript to be sent for publication. |
| Description | Gaze-cueing effects and social exchanges |
| Organisation | Bangor University |
| Department | School of Psychology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have progressed earlier work looking at joint attention facilitates the development of implicit trust appraisals by demonstrating these effects in game-theoretic models of social exchanges in both healthy volunteers and individuals who have recovered from depression. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of gaze-cueing and trust appraisal know-how. |
| Impact | This work is in submission with Journal of Experimental Psychology: General and in Psychological Medicine. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Gaze-cueing effects and social exchanges |
| Organisation | University of East Anglia |
| Department | School of Social Work and Psychology UEA |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have progressed earlier work looking at joint attention facilitates the development of implicit trust appraisals by demonstrating these effects in game-theoretic models of social exchanges in both healthy volunteers and individuals who have recovered from depression. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of gaze-cueing and trust appraisal know-how. |
| Impact | This work is in submission with Journal of Experimental Psychology: General and in Psychological Medicine. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Relationship appraisals following MDMA treatment |
| Organisation | University of Zurich |
| Department | Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have provided them with research methods to assist their research in a collaborative arrangement. |
| Collaborator Contribution | These researchers have taken our research materials (Bilderbeck et al, 2009) and wish to use them in a pharmacological experiment with healthy adults. |
| Impact | None so far |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Press activity describing our research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Following on from a Society of Neuroscience symposium in 2007, answered inquiries from radio and web media; wotking as an advisior for goverment body. Press enquiries abuout papers published this year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011 |