Cited by 180Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Neural Components Underlying Behavioral Flexibility in Human Reversal Learning

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Ghahremani, D. G., Monterosso, J., Jentsch, J. D., Bilder, R. M., Poldrack, R. A.·2010·Cerebral Cortex

Abstract

The ability to flexibly respond to changes in the environment is critical for adaptive behavior. Reversal learning (RL) procedures test adaptive response updating when contingencies are altered. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain areas that support specific RL components. We compared neural responses to RL and initial learning (acquisition) to isolate reversal-related brain activation independent of cognitive control processes invoked during initial feedback-based learning. Lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) was more activated during reversal than acquisition, suggesting its relevance for reformation of established stimulus-response associations. In addition, the dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC) and right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) correlated with change in postreversal accuracy. Because optimal RL likely requires suppression of a prior learned response, we hypothesized that similar regions serve both response inhibition (RI) and inhibition of learned associations during reversal. However, reversal-specific responding and stopping (requiring RI and assessed via the stop-signal task) revealed distinct frontal regions. Although RI-related regions do not appear to support inhibition of prepotent learned associations, a subset of these regions, dACC and rIFG, guide actions consistent with current reward contingencies. These regions and lateral OFC represent distinct neural components that support behavioral flexibility important for adaptive learning.

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  • Neuroimaging indicates that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and inferior frontal gyrus contribute to suppressing previously learned responses and inhibiting responses during reversal learning.

    “Neuroimaging additionally reveals the role of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus in suppression of prior learned responses and response inhibition during reversal learning40.”

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  2. 2006, 44, 1663
  3. Cools, 2002, Journal of Neuroscience, 22, 4563
  4. 2008, 59, 561
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Authors
Ghahremani, D. G., Monterosso, J., Jentsch, J. D., Bilder, R. M., & Poldrack, R. A.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Venue
Cerebral Cortex
Published
2009-11-13
Volume
20
Issue
8
Pages
1843-1852
ISSN
  • 1047-3211 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2199
OpenAlex
W2027568409
Cited by
180
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 13
FWCI
6.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cerebral Cortex (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (0223843)
  • National Institutes of Health (RR020750)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (PL1MH083271)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (RL1DA024853, P20DA022539)
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR024911, P20RR020750, 1P20-RR020750)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
reversal learning, behavioral flexibility, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, right inferior frontal gyrus, response inhibition, stop-signal task, stimulus-response associations, adaptive learning, reward contingency
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Association Learning, Biofeedback, Psychology, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Dominance, Cerebral, Female, Gyrus Cinguli, Humans, Functional Laterality, Learning, Male, Nerve Net, Psychomotor Performance, Reward, Prefrontal Cortex, Young Adult

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