Final answer:
An addict who activates the PFC during a task is likely to show impaired decision-making abilities due to the hypoactive state of the PFC and disrupted dopamine regulation in the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an addict performs a task that activates the prefrontal cortex (PFC), compared to normal individuals, they are likely to exhibit impaired decision-making abilities. This impairment is due to the hypoactive/reflective state of the PFC in addicted individuals, which negatively impacts cognitive processes such as decision-making, judgment, and impulse control. Moreover, addiction is associated with a pathological balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission circuits, leading to behavioral abnormalities. In normal brain function, an optimal level of dopamine transmission is crucial for proper modulation of cognitive processes, whereas deregulation of dopamine at the frontocortical level results in deficiencies. The case of Phineas Gage shows the importance of the PFC in personality and the ability of the brain to recover from trauma, however, addiction often involves persistent alterations in the brain's pathways and neurotransmission that result in ongoing impaired cognitive functions.