Neural markers of individual differences in decision-making

- Individual differences in decision-making are linked to aspects of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.
- Neurobiological features could be suitable as biomarkers for decision traits.
- Neural markers could aid in prediction of economic behavior.

In the last few years, neuroscientists have begun to identify associations between individual differences in decision-making and features of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Different tendencies in decision making, such as tolerance for risk, delay or effort, have been linked to various neurobiological measures, such as morphometry, structural connectivity, functional connectivity or the function of neurotransmitter systems. Though far from immutable, these neural features may nonetheless be suitable as relatively stable biomarkers for different decision traits. The establishment of such markers would achieve one of the stated goals of neuroeconomics, which is to improve the prediction of economic behavior across different contexts.