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. 2018 Feb:132:91-95.
doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.11.008. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Preliminary evidence that digit length ratio (2D:4D) predicts neural response to delivery of motivational stimuli

Troy A Webber  1 , Heather E Soder  2 , Geoffrey F Potts  2 , Marina A Bornovalova  2
Affiliations

Preliminary evidence that digit length ratio (2D:4D) predicts neural response to delivery of motivational stimuli

Troy A Webber et al. Biol Psychol. 2018 Feb.

Abstract

Reduced relative length of the 2nd to 4th digits (2D:4D) is thought to partially reflect fetal testosterone (FT) exposure, a process suspected to promote relatively permanent effects on the brain and behavior via structural and functional neuroadaptations. We examined the effect of 2D:4D on neural response - assessed by P2a and feedback-related negativity (FRN) event-related potentials (ERPs) - to motivational stimuli (reward or punishment) using two counterbalanced conditions of a passive S1/S2 outcome prediction design. P2a to expected and unexpected delivered rewards or punishments ($1 or white noise burst, respectively) and FRN to withheld rewards or punishments ($0 or silence, respectively) were observed in undergraduates. Lower left 2D:4D and greater 2D:4DR-L predicted amplified P2a to the delivery (but not FRN to the omission) of motivationally salient stimuli, regardless of valence and probability. These preliminary findings suggest that FT may organize dopamine neurons to respond more strongly to the delivery of motivational stimuli.

Keywords: 2D:4D; Digit length ratio; Fetal testosterone; Medial frontal cortex; Reward and punishment sensitivity.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest exists for any of the authors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Grand average waveforms on the RPT, averaged over a region of interest indicated by the electrode map. Approximate analysis windows are highlighted in gray. (B) Grand average waveforms on the PPT. (C) Scatterplot of L2D:4D and mean amplitude for UR. (D) Scatterplot of L2D:4D and mean amplitude for UP. (E) Scatterplot of L2D:4D and mean amplitude for PR. (F) Scatterplot of L2D:4D and mean amplitude for PP. p-values for each regression coefficient reflect false discovery rate (FDR) corrections.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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