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Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences

Author

Listed:
  • Michael A. Grubb

    (Trinity College
    Center for Neural Science, New York University)

  • Agnieszka Tymula

    (School of Economics, University of Sydney)

  • Sharon Gilaie-Dotan

    (Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London
    Vision Science and Optometry, Bar Ilan University)

  • Paul W. Glimcher

    (Center for Neural Science, New York University
    Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Decision Making, New York University)

  • Ifat Levy

    (Yale School of Medicine)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael A. Grubb & Agnieszka Tymula & Sharon Gilaie-Dotan & Paul W. Glimcher & Ifat Levy, 2016. "Neuroanatomy accounts for age-related changes in risk preferences," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13822
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13822
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolás Salamanca & Buly A. Cardak & Edwin Ip & Joe Vecci, 2023. "Time-stability of risk preferences: A new approach with evidence from developed and developing countries," Discussion Papers 2305, University of Exeter, Department of Economics.
    2. Gürdal, Mehmet Y. & Kuzubaş, Tolga U. & Saltoğlu, Burak, 2017. "Measures of individual risk attitudes and portfolio choice: Evidence from pension participants," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 186-203.
    3. Drupp, Moritz A. & Khadjavi, Menusch & Riekhof, Marie-Catherine & Voss, Rudi, 2020. "Professional identity and the gender gap in risk-taking. Evidence from field experiments with scientists," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 418-432.
    4. Zexuan Wang & Ismaël Rafaï & Marc Willinger, 2023. "Does age affect the relation between risk and time preferences? Evidence from a representative sample," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 90(2), pages 341-368, October.
    5. Balietti, Stefano & Riedl, Christoph, 2021. "Incentives, competition, and inequality in markets for creative production," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(4).
    6. Wu, Nan & Zhang, Xiaomeng & Zhou, Wenyu, 2023. "The impacts of superstition on risk preferences and beliefs: Evidence from the Chinese zodiac year," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Candace M. Raio & Benjamin B. Lu & Michael Grubb & Grant S. Shields & George M. Slavich & Paul Glimcher, 2022. "Cumulative lifetime stressor exposure assessed by the STRAIN predicts economic ambiguity aversion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    8. Malgorzata Orłowska & Krystyna M. Błeszynska, 2021. "Education as the Factor of Digital Inclusion of Elder Persons: A Study Case in Poland," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 4), pages 490-500.

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