Behavioral Paradigms to Probe Individual Mouse Differences in Value-Based Decision Making.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Economics
• Animal Models

Background:

• Value-based decision-making involves neural systems weighing action benefits against costs.
• Dysfunction in these systems is linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Understanding these mechanisms requires robust behavioral tasks in animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel forced-choice task for mice.
• To characterize how mice integrate reward benefits and costs in action selection.
• To identify stable individual differences in value-based decision-making.

Main Methods:

• A two-alternative forced-choice task with varying reward magnitudes and cost modalities (motor output, delay).
• Global and individual trial analyses of choice patterns and behavioral flexibility.
• Assessment of sensitivity to reward benefit and cost, and their inter-correlation.

Main Results:

• Mouse choices strongly reflect relative reward benefits.
• Choice costs are discounted when reward discrepancies are large.
• Different cost types are integrated uniquely into action selection.
• Individual differences in reward sensitivity correlate with cost sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed task reveals stable individual differences in value-based action selection in mice.
• This provides a foundation for investigating the neural and molecular underpinnings of goal-directed dysfunction.
• The findings have implications for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders.