Dopamine Encodes Retrospective Temporal Information in a Context-Independent Manner

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.07.076
• Publication Date: 2017-08-23T01:02:14Z
• Authors: Kaitlyn M. Fonzi; Merridee J. Lefner; Paul E.M. Phillips; Matthew J. Wanat
• Keywords: Reward system

The dopamine system responds to reward-predictive cues reflect a prospective estimation of reward value, although its role in encoding retrospective reward-related information is unclear. We report that cue-evoked release the nucleus accumbens core encodes time elapsed since previous or rather wait time. Specifically, cue always follows preceding with short elicits greater response relative distinct long Differences between and were evident even when these never experienced together within same context. Conditioned responding updated accordingly change but was unrelated difference cues. Collectively, findings illustrate conveys subjective rate.