A joint approach: brain structure & function in heavy cannabis users & their relationship with future use

Author J. Cousijn

http://dare.uva.nl/record/431855

NEURAL MECHANISMS OF DECISION-­‐MAKING & FUTURE CANNABIS USE

Decision-­‐making is a complex multifaceted process. Coming to an appropriate decision requires the evaluation of possible positive and
negative consequences, the capacity to retrieve this information from memory, and the capacity to maintain and manipulate the information ‘online’ (working-­‐memory) (Paulus, 2005). However, the decision process is not simply a cost-­‐benefit analysis as the consequences of decisions are often uncertain (Hsee and Hastie, 2006). Motivational processes also play an important role in guiding our decisions, (subconsciously) biasing them by maximizing reward while minimizing punishment (Naqvi et al., 2006; Paulus, 2005).