Reinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders

dc.contributor.advisorShock, Jonathan
dc.contributor.authorNiit, Lizelle
dc.date.accessioned2023-04-13T10:21:07Z
dc.date.available2023-04-13T10:21:07Z
dc.date.issued2022
dc.date.updated2023-04-12T09:29:44Z
dc.description.abstractMental illness causes enormous suffering for many people. Current treatments do not reliably alleviate that suffering. Unclear conceptualisations of mental disorders combined with little knowledge about their aetiology are roadblocks to developing better treatments. This dissertation reviews attempts to use reinforcement learning models to improve the way we conceptualise some of the processes happening in the brain in mental illness. The hope is that more clearly defining the problems we are dealing with will eventually have a positive impact on our ability to diagnose and treat them. I start by giving an overview of the reinforcement learning framework, and detail some of the reinforcement learning models that have been used to understand mental illness better. I explain the statistical techniques used to compare these models and to estimate parameters once a model has been chosen. This leads in to a survey of what researchers have learned about human behaviour using these techniques. I focus particularly on results related to depression. I argue that key parameters like learning rate and reward sensitivity are closely linked to depressive symptoms. Finally, I speculate about the impact that knowledge of this kind may have on the development of better diagnosis and treatment for mental illness in general and depression specifically.
dc.identifier.apacitationNiit, L. (2022). <i>Reinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders</i>. (). ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37709en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationNiit, Lizelle. <i>"Reinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders."</i> ., ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37709en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationNiit, L. 2022. Reinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders. . ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37709en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Master Thesis AU - Niit, Lizelle AB - Mental illness causes enormous suffering for many people. Current treatments do not reliably alleviate that suffering. Unclear conceptualisations of mental disorders combined with little knowledge about their aetiology are roadblocks to developing better treatments. This dissertation reviews attempts to use reinforcement learning models to improve the way we conceptualise some of the processes happening in the brain in mental illness. The hope is that more clearly defining the problems we are dealing with will eventually have a positive impact on our ability to diagnose and treat them. I start by giving an overview of the reinforcement learning framework, and detail some of the reinforcement learning models that have been used to understand mental illness better. I explain the statistical techniques used to compare these models and to estimate parameters once a model has been chosen. This leads in to a survey of what researchers have learned about human behaviour using these techniques. I focus particularly on results related to depression. I argue that key parameters like learning rate and reward sensitivity are closely linked to depressive symptoms. Finally, I speculate about the impact that knowledge of this kind may have on the development of better diagnosis and treatment for mental illness in general and depression specifically. DA - 2022_ DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Mathematics and Applied Mathematics LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2022 T1 - Reinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders TI - Reinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37709 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/37709
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationNiit L. Reinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders. []. ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, 2022 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37709en_ZA
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.subjectMathematics and Applied Mathematics
dc.titleReinforcement learning algorithms to model learning and decision-making in individuals with depressive disorders
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_sci_2022_niit lizelle.pdf
Size:
14.34 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
0 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Collections