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Updated: Feb 3, 2026
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Directed Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: September 15, 2014
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Dopaminergic genes are associated with both directed and random exploration
Samuel J Gershman1, Bastian Greshake Tzovaras2
1Department of Psychology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St., room 295.05, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Neuropsychologia
|October 23, 2018
Summary
Dopamine gene variations influence how people explore options for rewards. Specific genes affect directed exploration and response randomness, suggesting dopamine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Economics
- Genetics
Background:
- Maximizing long-term rewards requires balancing exploitation and exploration.
- Humans use directed exploration (high uncertainty) and random exploration (increased randomness).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of individual differences in exploration strategies.
- To examine the role of dopamine-related single nucleotide polymorphisms in exploration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a task that independently manipulated directed and random exploration.
- Analyzed associations between dopamine gene variations and exploration behaviors.
Main Results:
- COMT gene variation (prefrontal dopamine) predicted directed exploration and response randomness.
- DARPP-32 gene variation (striatal dopamine) predicted both directed and random exploration.
Conclusions:
- Dopamine plays a multifaceted role in exploration strategies.
- Specific dopamine pathways (prefrontal vs. striatal) differentially contribute to exploration behaviors.
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