Marilyn Huckans,
Adriana Seelye,
Jonathan Woodhouse,
Tiffany Parcel,
Lisa Mull,
Daniel Schwartz,
Alex Mitchell, David Lahna,
Amy Johnson,
Jennifer Loftis,
Steven Paul Woods,
Suzanne H. Mitchell,
William Hoffman
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Objective: Determine whether adults with hepatitis C (HCV), regardless of substance use disorder, are more likely to discount delayed rewards than adults without hepatitis C, and explore the relationship between delay discounting and neuropsychological functioning. Methods: Procedures included clinical interviews, neuropsychological testing, and a delay discounting task. Results: Regardless of substance abuse history, adults with hepatitis C were significantly more likely to choose smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards. Delay discounting correlated with performance on executive functioning tasks. Conclusions: Increased discounting is associated with broad executive dysfunction, suggesting that HCV-associated executive dysfunction may lead to altered decision-making style.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology 02/2011; 33(2):176-186. · 2.13 Impact Factor