A biomarker of risk-prone behavioral phenotype correlates with winning in a game of skill.

In this study we explored whether this biomarker is also indicative of risk proneness in a game situation where serious real-life adaptations and motivations are absent or minimized and risk is more or less symbolic. We adapted a game of skill where in order to get a high score “risky” actions had to be taken by the players. Scores obtained in the game correlated with the (relatively low) platelet MAO activity. Our results show that (1) the same markers that are informative for real-life behavior and adaptations involving risk and/or sensorimotor skills based performan ce may be informative also in a game setting, (2) in specific circumstances biomarkers associated with predisposition to risk may be associated with success, and (3) the novel game of skill tested in this context has a potential to be developed to a model of risk-involving behavior allowing quantifi able dependent measures of performance and purposeful manipulation of variables without real adverse effects on health or social relations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Source: Journal of Psychophysiology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research