Are sick people really more impulsive?: Investigating inflammation-driven impulsivity.

Abstract

In both animals and humans, inflammatory stimuli - especially infections and endotoxin injections - cause "sickness behaviors," including lethargy, malaise, and low mood. An emerging line of research asserts that inflammation may provoke present-focused decision making and impulsivity. The current article assesses that claim in the context of the broader literature - including preclinical models and clinical interventions. This literature presents three challenges to purported inflammation-impulsivity link that have not been addressed to date: (1) the nebulous and imprecise definition of impulsivity; (2) reverse causality; and (3) a lack of causal evidence. These challenges point to ways in which future research designs can improve upon the extant literature to further explore the ostensible relationship between inflammation and impulsivity.

• Authors: Annelise A Madison, Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser
• Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology (Psychoneuroendocrinology) Vol. 141 Pg. 105763 (07 2022) ISSN: 1873-3360 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35429698 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Animals
• Humans
• Impulsive Behavior
• Inflammation