Blocking D2/D3 dopamine receptors in male participants increases volatility of beliefs when learning to trust others

Nace Mikus, Christoph Eisenegger, Christoph Mathys, Luke Clark, Ulrich Müller, Trevor W. Robbins, Claus Lamm, Michael Naef

Veröffentlichungen: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelPeer Reviewed

Abstract

The ability to learn about other people is crucial for human social functioning. Dopamine has been proposed to regulate the precision of beliefs, but direct behavioural evidence of this is lacking. In this study, we investigate how a high dose of the D2/D3 dopamine receptor antagonist sulpiride impacts learning about other people’s prosocial attitudes in a repeated Trust game. Using a Bayesian model of belief updating, we show that in a sample of 76 male participants sulpiride increases the volatility of beliefs, which leads to higher precision weights on prediction errors. This effect is driven by participants with genetically conferred higher dopamine availability (Taq1a polymorphism) and remains even after controlling for working memory performance. Higher precision weights are reflected in higher reciprocal behaviour in the repeated Trust game but not in single-round Trust games. Our data provide evidence that the D2 receptors are pivotal in regulating prediction error-driven belief updating in a social context.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer4049
FachzeitschriftNature Communications
Jahrgang14
Ausgabenummer1
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Dez. 2023

ÖFOS 2012

  • 501014 Neuropsychologie
  • 301402 Neurobiologie

Fingerprint

Untersuchen Sie die Forschungsthemen von „Blocking D2/D3 dopamine receptors in male participants increases volatility of beliefs when learning to trust others“. Zusammen bilden sie einen einzigartigen Fingerprint.

Zitationsweisen