Behavioral approach and orbitofrontal cortical activity during decision-making in substance dependence

•We examined behavioral inhibition/behavioral approach (BIS/BAS) association with orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity during decision-making.•BAS scores were higher in substance dependent individuals (SDI) than controls.•Left OFC activity during decision making was greater in SDI than controls.•Higher BAS Fun Seeking was related to greater left OFC decision-making activity.

Behavioral approach, defined as behavior directed toward a reward or novel stimulus, when elevated, may increase one's vulnerability to substance use disorder. Behavioral approach has been associated with relatively greater left compared to right frontal activity; behavioral inhibition may be associated with relatively greater right compared to left frontal brain activity. We hypothesized that substance dependent individuals (SDI) would have higher behavioral approach than controls and greater prefrontal cortical activity during decision-making involving reward. We hypothesized that behavioral approach would correlate with left frontal activity during decision-making and that the correlation would be stronger in SDI than controls. 31 SDI and 21 controls completed the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) scales and performed a decision-making task during fMRI. Orbitofrontal (OFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal activity were correlated with BIS and BAS scores. Compared to controls, SDI had higher BAS Fun Seeking scores (p < 0.001) and worse decision-making performance (p = 0.004). BAS Fun Seeking correlated with left OFC activity during decision-making across group (r = 0.444, p < 0.003). The correlation did not differ by group. There was no correlation between BIS and right frontal activity. Left OFC may play a role in reward-related decision-making in substance use disorder especially in individuals with high behavioral approach.