Examining neuroanatomical correlates of win-stay, lose-shift behaviour.

This study aimed to better understand the neuroanatomical correlates of decision-making strategies, particularly focusing on win-stay and lose-shift behaviours, using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in a large cohort of healthy adults. Participants completed a forced-choice card-guessing task designed to elicit behavioural responses to rewards and losses. Using this task, we investigated the relationship between win-stay and lose-shift behaviour and both grey matter volume (GMV) and white matter volume (WMV). The frequency of win-stay and lose-shift behaviours was calculated for each participant and entered into VBM analyses alongside GMV and WMV measures. Our results revealed that increased lose-shift behaviour was associated with reduced GMV in key brain regions, comprising of the left superior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, and the bilateral superior lateral occipital cortices. Interestingly, no significant associations were found between GMV or WMV, and win-stay behaviour. These results suggest that specific regions within the temporal and occipital lobes may be involved in modulating decision-making strategies following negative outcomes. Further analyses revealed that increased lose-shift behaviour was also associated with increased WMV in the left superior temporal gyrus. The absence of significant findings in relation to win-stay behaviour and the differential involvement of brain structures in lose-shift responses indicate that decision-making in the face of losses may involve distinct neuroanatomical mechanisms compared to decision-making following wins. This study advances our understanding of the structural brain correlates linked to decision-making strategies and highlights the complexity of brain-behaviour relationships in choice behaviour.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.
(© 2025. The Author(s).)