Midbrain dopamine neurons encode decisions for future action
Abstract
Current models of the basal ganglia and dopamine neurons emphasize their role in reinforcement learning. However, the role of dopamine neurons in decision making is still unclear. We recorded from dopamine neurons in monkeys engaged in two types of trial: reference trials in an instructed-choice task and decision trials in a two-armed bandit decision task. We show that the activity of dopamine neurons in the decision setting is modulated according to the value of the upcoming action. Moreover, analysis of the probability matching strategy in the decision trials revealed that the dopamine population activity and not the reward during reference trials determines choice behavior. Because dopamine neurons do not have spatial or motor properties, we conclude that immediate decisions are likely to be generated elsewhere and conveyed to the dopamine neurons, which play a role in shaping long-term decision policy through dynamic modulation of the efficacy of basal ganglia synapses.
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Dopamine recipient structures also encode model-based prediction errors useful for detecting relevant information, and dopamine responses depend on actions as well as stimuli.
“Recent evidence from functional imaging experiments in humans suggests that dopamine recipient structures also encode model-based prediction errors that may be useful for detecting relevant information (Daw et al., 2011), and single-neuron studies in rats and monkeys show that dopamine responses depend not only on stimuli but also on actions (Morris et al., 2006; Takahashi et al., 2012) suggesting”
From Attention, learning, and the value of information (2012) · cites this paper as Morris et al., 2006
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References 42 · Cited by 503
- Authors
- Morris, G., Nevet, A., Arkadir, D., Vaadia, E., & Bergman, H.
- Affiliations
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Morris, Genela
- Venue
- Nature Neuroscience
- Published
- 2006-07-23
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1057-1063
- ISSN
- 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
- 1546-1726
- OpenAlex
- W1979215131
- Cited by
- 503
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 14.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Israel Science Foundation
- 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 › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- dopaminergic neurons, decision-making, midbrain, two-armed bandit, probability matching, action value, basal ganglia, reinforcement learning, choice behavior, decision policies
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Behavior, Animal, Decision Making, Dopamine, Electrophysiology, Female, Macaca, Male, Mesencephalon, Neurons, Probability, Random Allocation, Reward, Saccades
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