Dopaminergic and Prefrontal Basis of Learning from Sensory Confidence and Reward Value

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.11.018
• Publication Date: 2019-12-16T17:12:25Z
• Authors: Armin Lak; Michael Okun; Morgane M. Moss; Harsha Gurnani; Karolina Farrell; Miles J. Wells; Charu Bai Reddy; Adam Kepecs; Kenneth D. Harris; Matteo Carandini
• Keywords: Value (mathematics)

Deciding between stimuli requires combining their learned value with one's sensory confidence. We trained mice in a visual task that probes this combination. Mouse choices reflected not only present confidence and past rewards but also Their behavior conformed to model combines signal detection reinforcement learning. In the model, predicted of chosen option is product value. found precise correlates variable pre-outcome activity midbrain dopamine neurons medial prefrontal cortical neurons. However, latter played causal role: inactivating cortex before outcome strengthened learning from outcome. Dopamine role after outcome, when they encoded reward prediction errors graded by confidence, influencing subsequent choices. These results reveal neural signals combine guide