Neurocognitive Investigation of Immediate Reward Selection Bias

The study investigates how state (like age and alcohol use) and trait factors (such as gender and genetics) influence the tendency to favor immediate rewards over delayed ones, known as Now bias. Findings indicate that heavy drinkers without an alcohol use disorder exhibit a Now bias similar to those with AUDs. Additionally, light drinkers with a family history of AUDs show comparable biases. Age appears to play a role, as bias decreases in light/moderate drinkers with maturity. Genetic factors, including dopamine signaling and estradiol, also affect this behavior, highlighting the complexity of individual differences in reward processing.