It appears that assessing the risk of economic transactions is located in the amygdala. Those who lack this structure take far riskier decisions than those who still hold onto and retain their possessions. This is described as the 'fear of losing money'.
"Monetary-loss aversion has been studied in behavioral economics for some time, but this is the first time that patients have been reported who lack it entirely," says de Martino.
"We think this shows that the amygdala is critical for triggering a sense of caution toward making gambles in which you might lose," explains Camerer. This function of the amygdala, he says, may be similar to its role in fear and anxiety.
This is the economic contextualisation of evolved fear responses, adapted to the symbolic systems and representations of our culture. Is it also linked to miserly activity and hypochondria? We will be able to say that we can cure Scrooge.