Depletion of serotonin changes an individual’s judgment of unfairness.
Serotonin modulates social behavior and impulsivity. To determine whether manipulation of serotonin function affects retaliatory behavior, these investigators used the two-person “ultimatum game” (UG). Here, one player (the “proposer”) is promised a sum of money but must offer a specific percentage to the “responder.” If the responder accepts the offer, both players are paid. If the responder rejects it, neither receives any money. Responders usually reject an offer of less than 20% to 30% of the total, because they feel it is unfair. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 20 healthy volunteers participated in the UG as responders (unknown to participants, the proposer was a computer).
In two sessions 1 week apart, they w…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)