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An Automated T-maze Based Apparatus and Protocol for Analyzing Delay- and Effort-based Decision Making in Free Moving Rodents
Published on: August 2, 2018
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Fast and slow contributions to decision-making in corticostriatal circuits
Zuzanna Z Balewski1, Eric B Knudsen1, Joni D Wallis2
1Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Neuron
|May 7, 2022
Summary
Brain regions like the caudate nucleus and orbitofrontal cortex support decision-making. This study reveals distinct neural signals in these areas for rapid orienting and slower deliberation during value-based choices.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Decision-Making Research
Background:
- Complex decisions involve both rapid judgments and slower reasoning.
- Value-based decision-making in animals utilizes rapid orienting eye movements.
- Neural mechanisms for these processes are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the neural mechanisms of value-based decision-making.
- Differentiate the roles of the caudate nucleus and orbitofrontal cortex.
- Understand the relationship between orienting eye movements and decision processes.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings from the caudate nucleus and orbitofrontal cortex in animals.
- Population-level decoding to analyze neural activity.
- Behavioral analysis of value-guided decisions and orienting eye movements.
Main Results:
- A rapid, phasic signal in the caudate nucleus predicted choice responses and eye movements.
- Orbitofrontal cortex showed dynamics consistent with serial value representation.
- Caudate and orbitofrontal value signals were largely independent.
Conclusions:
- The caudate nucleus plays a role in rapid, value-guided orienting.
- The orbitofrontal cortex supports deliberative value assessment.
- Value-guided orienting and decision-making appear to be independent processes.
Keywords:
caudate nucleuscorticostratial circuitneurophysiologynon-human primateorbitofrontal cortexvalue-based decision-makingMore Related Videos
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