A causal role of estradiol in human reinforcement learning.

Sebastijan Veselic, Gerhard Jocham, Christian Gausterer, Bernhard Wagner, Miriam Ernhoefer-Reßler, Rupert Lanzenberger, Christoph Eisenegger, Claus Lamm, Annabel Losecaat Vermeer

Journal: Hormones and behavior 2021;134():105022

PMID: 34273676

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

The sex hormone estradiol is hypothesized to play a key role in human cognition, and reward processing specifically, via increased dopamine D1-receptor signalling. However, the effect of estradiol on reward processing in men has never been established. To fill this gap, we performed a double-blind placebo-controlled study in which men (N = 100) received either a single dose of estradiol (2 mg) or a placebo. Subjects performed a probabilistic reinforcement learning task where they had to choose between two options with varying reward probabilities to maximize monetary reward. Results showed that estradiol administration increased reward sensitivity compared to placebo. This effect was observed in subjects' choices, how much weight they assigned to their previous choices, and subjective reports about the reward probabilities. Furthermore, effects of estradiol were moderated by reward sensitivity, as measured through the BIS/BAS questionnaire. Using reinforcement learning models, we found that behavioral effects of estradiol were reflected in increased learning rates. These results demonstrate a causal role of estradiol within the framework of reinforcement learning, by enhancing reward sensitivity and learning. Furthermore, they provide preliminary evidence for dopamine-related genetic variants moderating the effect of estradiol on reward processing.

Address: Neuropsychopharmacology and Biopsychology Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, London, UK; Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].; Biological Psychology of Decision Making, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany.; FDZ-Forensisches DNA Zentrallabor GmbH, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.; Laboratory for Chromatographic & Spectrometric Analysis, FH JOANNEUM, Graz, Austria.; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.; Neuropsychopharmacology and Biopsychology Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria.; Neuropsychopharmacology and Biopsychology Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria; Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of Vienna, Austria.; Neuropsychopharmacology and Biopsychology Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105022

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MeSH Terms: Dopamine, Double-Blind Method, Estradiol, Humans, Learning, Male, Reinforcement, Psychology, Reward