Cited by 269Reinforcement Learning in RoboticsNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Deep reinforcement learning and its neuroscientific implications

Open access
Botvinick, Matthew, Wang, Jane X., Dabney, Will, Miller, Kevin J., Kurth-Nelson, Zeb·2020·Neuron

Abstract

The emergence of powerful artificial intelligence (AI) is defining new research directions in neuroscience. To date, this research has focused largely on deep neural networks trained using supervised learning in tasks such as image classification. However, there is another area of recent AI work that has so far received less attention from neuroscientists but that may have profound neuroscientific implications: deep reinforcement learning (RL). Deep RL offers a comprehensive framework for studying the interplay among learning, representation, and decision making, offering to the brain sciences a new set of research tools and a wide range of novel hypotheses. In the present review, we provide a high-level introduction to deep RL, discuss some of its initial applications to neuroscience, and survey its wider implications for research on brain and behavior, concluding with a list of opportunities for next-stage research.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.06.014

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Authors
Botvinick, M., Wang, J. X., Dabney, W., Miller, K. J., & Kurth-Nelson, Z.
Affiliations
Google DeepMind (United Kingdom) (GB)
Corresponding author
Botvinick, Matthew
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-08
Volume
107
Issue
4
Pages
603-616
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3041406801
Cited by
269
References
151
Citations by year
2026: 36 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 1
FWCI
1.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (cc-by)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Reinforcement Learning in Robotics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
deep reinforcement learning, decision-making, brain-inspired models, computational neuroscience, brain-behavior relationship
MeSH terms
Deep Learning, Algorithms, Decision Making, Models, Neurological, Models, Psychological, Neurosciences, Reinforcement, Psychology, Neural Networks, Computer

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