Story perspectives

Mobile Game Reveals Rigid Decision-Making in Depression

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers Paul Glimcher and Dan Iosifescu at NYU Health found a mobile game detects inflexible reference points in depressed adults.
In 120 participants (50 depressed, 70 controls), depressed subjects quit after eight-nine apples versus four-five for controls while both earned $27 on average.
After adaptation, healthy participants quickly reverted to baseline bids while depressed participants did not, a rigidity that co-author Aadith Vittala links to a mechanism and therapeutic target.

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Story summary

Researchers Paul Glimcher and Dan Iosifescu at NYU Health found a mobile game detects inflexible reference points in depressed adults.
In 120 participants (50 depressed, 70 controls), depressed subjects quit after eight-nine apples versus four-five for controls while both earned $27 on average.
After adaptation, healthy participants quickly reverted to baseline bids while depressed participants did not, a rigidity that co-author Aadith Vittala links to a mechanism and therapeutic target.