Day-to-day fluctuations in motivation drive effort-based decision-making

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Hewitt, Samuel R. C.; Norbury, Agnes; Huys, Quentin J. M.; Hauser, Tobias U.
• 署名单位: University of London; University College London; University of London; University College London; University of London; University College London; University of London; University College London; Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen; Eberhard Karls University Hospital
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-11499
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2417964122
• 发表日期: 2025-03-25
• 关键词: major depressive disorder; reward; dopamine; apathy

摘要

Internal states like motivation fluctuate substantially over time. However, studies of the neurocomputational mechanims of motivated behavior have failed to capture this. Here, we examined how naturalistic ups and downs in state motivation influence the subjective value of reward and effort. In a microlongitudinal design (N = 155, state timepoints = 3,344, decision-making tasks = 845), we captured fluctuations in state and effort-based decision-making using smartphone-based momentary assessments as people went about their daily lives. We found that both state and trait have independent and multiplicative effects on decision-making. State-behavior coupling was particularly pronounced in individuals with higher trait apathy, meaning that their choices were even more state dependent. Using computational modeling, we demonstrate that state motivation prospectively boosted reward sensitivity, making people more willing to exert effort in future. Our results show that day-to-day fluctuations in state and cognition are tightly linked and critical for understanding fundamental human behaviors and mental ill-health.