Stable and dynamic representations of value in the prefrontal cortex.
Pierre Enel1,2, Joni D Wallis3,4, Erin L Rich1,2
1Nash Family Neuroscience Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.
Elife
|July 7, 2020
Summary
Optimal decision-making relies on updating stimulus-value memories. This study reveals mixed neural dynamics in the prefrontal cortex, supporting both stable and dynamic value representations for flexible cognition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Decision Science
Background:
- Optimal decision-making necessitates updating stimulus-value associations by comparing expected and experienced outcomes.
- Holding value information in working memory (WM) across temporal gaps is crucial but its neural basis is unclear.
- Conflicting theories propose persistent (stable) or transient (dynamic) neural activity for WM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms of working memory for value.
- To test competing hypotheses of persistent versus transient neuronal activity in prefrontal cortex.
- To elucidate how the brain maintains and updates value representations for decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Neuronal activity was recorded in the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex of two monkeys.
- Monkeys performed a valuation task requiring them to associate stimuli with outcomes.
- Analysis focused on characterizing the temporal dynamics of neural representations of value.
Main Results:
- Prefrontal neuronal activity exhibited features supporting both persistent and transient activity hypotheses.
- No single hypothesis exclusively explained the observed neural dynamics.
- Mixed neural dynamics were found to support both time-invariant and temporally specific value representations.
Conclusions:
- Neural coding for value in working memory is not exclusively persistent or transient.
- A hybrid coding scheme, with mixed dynamics, supports robust and flexible value representations.
- This hybrid neural mechanism is critical for adaptable cognitive abilities and optimal decision-making.
Keywords:
decision-makingneural codingneuroscienceorbitofrontal cortexprefrontal cortexrhesus macaquevalueworking memoryMore Related Videos
13:20Online Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of Dorsomedial and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Cognition Decision Making, and Cognitive Dissonance
Published on: December 5, 2025
177
13:04Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
Published on: September 19, 2012
12.3K
Related Concept Videos
01:24Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
1.9K
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
1.9K
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
885
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
885
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
8.3K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
8.3K
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
3.3K
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
3.3K
01:15Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
5.6K
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
5.6K
01:13Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation
3.7K
The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
3.7K