Date of Award

8-2022

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychological Science

Program

Psychological Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Lin Fang

Abstract

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric condition. It is phasic condition where individuals oscillate between mania or hypomania, depression, and euthymia. It is closely related to major depressive disorder; however, it is distinguished by periods of increased activity typical of (hypo)manic episodes. During these episodes, people may experience enhanced goal-motivate behavior and risk-taking. It is thought that enhanced dopaminergic activity within reward-mediated pathways in the brain underlies these behaviors. Recent research has identified a link between an attentional bias to rewarding feedback and reward sensitivity. Due to this connection, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of attention bias modification (ABM) on electrocortical markers of attention and reward sensitivity. Seventeen participants completed two sessions for $30 of compensation. In session one, baseline electrocortical measures were obtained for attention (N1) and reward sensitivity (reward positivity; RewP) during a roulette-gambling task. Questionnaires assessing mood, personality, handedness, and demographics were obtained afterward. Participants completed a second session where they completed attentional (or control) training prior to the roulette-gambling task. ABM did not attenuate ΔN1 and ΔRewP in the training group. Exploratory analyses found effects of session on both N1 and RewP raw amplitudes across groups. Considering the small sample size and demographic homogeneity, results and the subsequently derived conclusions should be taken with caution.

Access Type

NMU Users Only

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