Scientists have uncovered a surprising molecule in the brain that could explain why women and men change their minds differently and what this means for stress, regret, and mental health.
A Closer Look at Decision-Making
Changing your mind is something we all do, whether it’s picking a different meal at a restaurant or rethinking a big life choice. But what happens in the brain when we reconsider a decision? And why do some people seem more prone to regret or second-guessing than others?
A new study led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has found that a molecule called LINC00473, a type of RNA that doesn’t code for proteins, plays a key role in these “change-of-mind” decisions, especially in females. This RNA is found in the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain area important for decision-making, self-control, and mood.
The Restaurant Row Experiment
To study this, scientists used a clever “Restaurant Row” maze for mice. Each mouse had 30 minutes to find food at four different “restaurants,” each offering a different flavor and a different wait time. Mice had to decide whether to accept an offer (and wait for the food) or skip and try their luck elsewhere.
The twist? Sometimes, after accepting an offer and starting to wait, mice could still “change their mind” and quit before getting the food. This setup allowed researchers to separate initial decisions from later, re-evaluative decisions much like when we second-guess ourselves.
Surprising Sex Differences
The team found that when they increased LINC00473 in the brains of female mice, it changed how they made these change-of-mind decisions. Females with more LINC00473 were:
– More sensitive to “sunk costs”: They were more likely to keep waiting for a reward the longer they had already waited, even if it wasn’t the best choice.
– More influenced by past mistakes: After making a poor decision, these females were more likely to adjust their future choices, showing a heightened sense of regret.
Interestingly, these effects were not seen in male mice, highlighting a strong sex difference in how this RNA affects the brain.
Why Does This Matter?
These findings suggest that LINC00473 could help explain why women are more prone to negative rumination and depression, as seen in humans. The molecule seems to link the brain’s handling of regret and “sunk costs” (the feeling that you should stick with something because you’ve already invested time or effort) to stress resilience in a sex-specific way.
By understanding how molecules like LINC00473 shape our decision-making and emotions, scientists hope to find new ways to treat mental health issues that affect men and women differently.
