Model-based predictions for dopamine
Open accessAbstract
Phasic dopamine responses are thought to encode a prediction-error signal consistent with model-free reinforcement learning theories. However, a number of recent findings highlight the influence of model-based computations on dopamine responses, and suggest that dopamine prediction errors reflect more dimensions of an expected outcome than scalar reward value. Here, we review a selection of these recent results and discuss the implications and complications of model-based predictions for computational theories of dopamine and learning.
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If a reward is expected but is not delivered, then dopamine neuronal firing is inhibited, signaling a 'reward prediction error'.
“However, if a reward is expected but is not delivered, then dopamine neuronal firing is inhibited, signaling a 'reward pre dic tion error' 46 .”
From Substance use disorders: a comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention (2023) · cites this paper as [46]
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- Authors
- Langdon, A. J., Sharpe, M. J., Schoenbaum, G., & Niv, Y.
- Affiliations
- Princeton University (US)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (US)
- Corresponding author
- Langdon, Angela J
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Neurobiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-04
- Volume
- 49
- Pages
- 1-7
- ISSN
- 0959-4388 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6034703
- OpenAlex
- W2765818177
- Cited by
- 161
- References
- 67
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 1.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
- www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
- www.elsevier.com/open-access/userlicense/1.0/ (am, 213 d)
- doi.org/10.15223/policy-017 (stm-asf)
- doi.org/10.15223/policy-037 (stm-asf)
- doi.org/10.15223/policy-012 (stm-asf)
- doi.org/10.15223/policy-029 (stm-asf)
- doi.org/10.15223/policy-004 (stm-asf)
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Neurobiology (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA042065, ZIA-DA000587)
- Army Research Office (W911NF-14-1-0101)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- dopamine, prediction error, model-based learning, model-free reinforcement learning, reward prediction
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Computer Simulation, Dopamine, Humans, Learning, Models, Neurological, Reinforcement, Psychology
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