Dopaminergic D1 Receptor Stimulation Affects Effort and Risk Preferences

BACKGROUND: Activation of D-1 receptors has been related to successful goal-directed behavior, but it remains unclear whether D-1 receptor activation causally tips the balance of weighing costs and benefits in humans. Here, we tested the impact of pharmacologically stimulated D-1 receptors on sensitivity to risk, delay, and effort costs in economic choice and investigated whether D-1 receptor stimulation would bias preferences toward options with increased costs in a cost-specific manner. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 1 study, 120 healthy young volunteers received either placebo or 1 of 3 doses (6 mg, 15 mg, or 30 mg) of a novel, selective D-1 agonist (PF-06412562). After drug administration, participants performed decision tasks measuring their preferences for risky, delayed, and effortful outcomes. RESULTS: Higher doses of the D-1 agonist increased the willingness to exert physical effort for reward as well as reduced the preference for risky outcomes. We observed no effects on preferences for delayed rewards. CONCLUSIONS: The current results provide evidence that D-1 receptor stimulation causally affects core aspects of cost-benefit decision making in humans.