Abstraction of Reward Context Facilitates Relative Reward Coding in Neural Populations of the Macaque Anterior Cingulate Cortex

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0292-23.2023
• Publication Date: 2023-07-26T18:16:56Z
• Authors: Jonathan M. Chien; Joni D. Wallis; Erin L. Rich
• Keywords: Neural coding; Stimulus (psychology)

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is believed to be involved in many cognitive processes, including linking goals actions and tracking decision-relevant contextual information. ACC neurons robustly encode expected outcomes, but how this relates putative functions of remains unknown. Here, we approach question from the perspective population codes by analyzing neural spiking data ventral dorsal banks two male monkeys trained perform a stimulus-motor mapping task earn rewards or avoid losses. We found that populations favor low dimensional representational geometry emphasizes valence potential outcomes while also facilitating independent, abstract representation multiple task-relevant variables. Valence encoding persisted throughout trial, realized were primarily encoded relative sense, such cue acted as context for outcome encoding. This suggests coding observe could mechanism allows feedback interpreted context-dependent manner. Together, our results point prominent role setting interpretation facilitated abstract, untangled, representations SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT ability interpret events light current critical facet higher-order cognition. suggested important information, whereas alternate views hold its function more related motor system appropriate actions. evaluated these possibilities geometric properties activity monkey when contexts determined information was represented dominant, concept. Ensuing then coded contexts, suggesting an evaluation. Such mechanisms may reasoning generalization characteristic biological intelligence.