Characteristics Of Neuronal Activity As Predictors Of Risk-Attitude

Risk-taking was previously associated with frontal theta asymmetry in female samples. However, women and men were shown to have similar frontal asymmetries in various bands, while they were also confirmed to significantly differ in risk-taking. We aimed to address this gap and pursued three goals. First, we studied how frontal asymmetries in theta, beta and alpha bands related to risk-taking in a sample that contained both men and women. Second, we tested if frontal theta power was associated with risk-taking. Third, we examined if frontal theta power could explain sex-related differences in risk-taking. In this study, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG), Bomb Risk-Elicitation Task, DOPSPERT, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Behavioral Activation/Behavioral Inhibition scales. We have found that theta, beta and alpha band frontal asymmetries positively correlated with measures of risk-taking and that these neuronal characteristics significantly interacted with sex while affecting choices in an economic game. Frontal theta power positively correlated with risk-taking in the game and was also correlated with measures of reward sensitivity (DOSPERT risks and benefits subscales). Frontal theta power and beta asymmetry interacted in affecting average risk-taking during all trials of the game, but not during the first trial alone. Higher values of frontal theta power were associated with decreased effects of frontal beta asymmetry on average risk-taking. We suggest that frontal theta power reflects sensitivity to loss-gain balance and also to error detection and learning, while frontal beta asymmetry reflects approach/avoidance motivation and/or inhibitory abilities. Finally, we claim that frontal theta power partially explains sex-related differences in risk-taking, suggesting that they are related to higher punishment-reward sensitivity in women.