Psychology

Dopamine neurons encode trial-by-trial subjective reward value in an auction-like task

D. F. Hill, R. W. Hickman, et al.

This groundbreaking study reveals how dopamine neurons dynamically encode subjective reward value in primates during a BDM auction-like task. Conducted by Daniel F. Hill and colleagues, the results highlight an exciting instant feedback mechanism of reward anticipation that could reshape our understanding of motivation and behavior.

00:00

Playback language: English

Index

Abstract

This study investigated whether dopamine neurons encode subjective reward value on a trial-by-trial basis using a Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) auction-like mechanism. Two rhesus monkeys, extensively trained in the BDM task, bid for juice rewards against a computer opponent. Dopamine neuronal activity was recorded while the monkeys performed the task. Results showed that dopamine neuron responses followed trial-by-trial variations in bids, even when physical reward amounts remained constant. Support Vector Regression accurately predicted the animals' bids using a small number of dopamine neurons. This suggests that the phasic dopamine reward signal reflects instantaneous subjective reward value.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Sep 17, 2024

Authors

Daniel F. Hill, Robert W. Hickman, Alaa Al-Mohammad, Arkadiusz Stasiak, Wolfram Schultz

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Medicine and Health

Multi-omics signatures in new-onset diabetes predict metabolic response to dietary inulin: findings from an observational study followed by an interventional trial

N. Ďásková, I. Modos, et al.

Psychology

Dopamine release and dopamine-related gene expression in the amygdala are modulated by the gastrin-releasing peptide in opposite directions during stress-enhanced fear learning and extinction

Y. Morishita, I. Fuentes, et al.

Psychology

Dopamine release and dopamine-related gene expression in the amygdala are modulated by the gastrin-releasing peptide in opposite directions during stress-enhanced fear learning and extinction

Y. Morishita, I. Fuentes, et al.

Health and Fitness

Acute changes in antioxidants and oxidative stress to vigorous arm exercise: an intervention trial in persons with spinal cord injury and healthy controls

M. F. Wouda, H. B. Steihaugell, et al.

Listen, Learn & Level Up

Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.

No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.

listen to research audio papers with researchbunny