The role of motivation, glucose and self-control in the antisaccade task

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 31;10(3):e0122218. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122218. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Research shows that self-control is resource limited and there is a gradual weakening in consecutive self-control task performance akin to muscle fatigue. A body of evidence suggests that the resource is glucose and consuming glucose reduces this effect. This study examined the effect of glucose on performance in the antisaccade task - which requires self-control through generating a voluntary eye movement away from a target - following self-control exertion in the Stroop task. The effects of motivation and individual differences in self-control were also explored. In a double-blind design, 67 young healthy adults received a 25g glucose or inert placebo drink. Glucose did not enhance antisaccade performance following self-control exertion in the Stroop task. Motivation however, predicted performance on the antisaccade task; more specifically high motivation ameliorated performance decrements observed after initial self-control exertion. In addition, individuals with high levels of self-control performed better on certain aspects of the antisaccade task after administration of a glucose drink. The results of this study suggest that the antisaccade task might be a powerful paradigm, which could be used as a more objective measure of self-control. Moreover, the results indicate that level of motivation and individual differences in self-control should be taken into account when investigating deficiencies in self-control following prior exertion.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Glucose / administration & dosage*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Placebos
  • Saccades*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Placebos
  • Glucose

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [grant number ESRC NWDTC 13.14]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.