Modifying Pavlovian-To-Instrumental Transfer By Approach Avoidance Training In Healthy Subjects - A Proof of Concept Study

Abstract

The modulation of instrumental action by conditioned Pavlovian cues is hypothesized to play a role in the emergence and maintenance of maladaptive behavior. The Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) task is designed to examine the magnitude of the influence of cues on behavior and we aim to manipulate the motivational value of Pavlovian cues to reduce their effect on instrumental responding. To this end, we utilized a joystick-based modification of approach and avoidance propensities that has shown success in clinical populations. In 35 healthy subjects, we examined changes in PIT after completion of either avoidance training or sham training. We found no effect of training on approach avoidance propensities but higher response rate towards negative stimuli during PIT after systematic avoidance training compared to sham training. On the other hand, we saw an increased PIT effect after sham training. These results imply that training can alter the strength of the influence of cues on instrumental behavior and suggest training to be beneficial in reducing environmental triggers of maladaptive behavior.