Abstract:

Feedback-related negativity (FRN) refers to the electroencephalogram component induced by feedback processing which reflects the individual's sensitivity to reward. Addiction can be broadly classified into substance addiction and behavior addiction. Both types of addicted individuals show pathological patterns in feedback processing. Comparing with the ordinary feedback (such as money), the FRN amplitude induced by feedback of addiction substance significantly increased in individuals with substance addiction. In the control study with non-addicted subjects, substance addicts also showed abnormal patterns relating to addiction when processing monetary feedback stimuli. Similar FRN irregularities were also observed in individuals with behavioral addiction. However, the classification of addiction disorders in most previous studies is not specific enough, and the characteristics of different subtypes of addiction disorders should be further taken into consideration in future studies. Moreover, addicted individuals are often accompanied by other mental disorders (such as depression, anxiety). Further studies should distinguish the influences of comorbid factors and reveal the unique reward processing mechanisms underlying addiction.

Key words: feedback-related negativity, substance addiction, behavioral addiction, reinforcement learning, reward mechanism