| RRC ID |
64878
|
| Author |
Wang Y, Toyoshima O, Kunimatsu J, Yamada H, Matsumoto M.
|
| Title |
Tonic firing mode of midbrain dopamine neurons continuously tracks reward values changing moment-by-moment.
|
| Journal |
Elife
|
| Abstract |
Animal behavior is regulated based on the values of future rewards. The phasic activity of midbrain dopamine neurons signals these values. Because reward values often change over time, even on a subsecond-by-subsecond basis, appropriate behavioral regulation requires continuous value monitoring. However, the phasic dopamine activity, which is sporadic and has a short duration, likely fails continuous monitoring. Here, we demonstrate a tonic firing mode of dopamine neurons that effectively tracks changing reward values. We recorded dopamine neuron activity in monkeys during a Pavlovian procedure in which the value of a cued reward gradually increased or decreased. Dopamine neurons tonically increased and decreased their activity as the reward value changed. This tonic activity was evoked more strongly by non-burst spikes than burst spikes producing a conventional phasic activity. Our findings suggest that dopamine neurons change their firing mode to effectively signal reward values in a given situation.
|
| Volume |
10
|
| Published |
2021-3-10
|
| DOI |
10.7554/eLife.63166
|
| PII |
63166
|
| PMID |
33689680
|
| PMC |
PMC7946420
|
| MeSH |
Animals
Behavior, Animal
Cues*
Dopaminergic Neurons / physiology*
Female
Macaca fuscata / physiology*
Male
Mesencephalon / physiology*
Reward*
Time Factors
|
| IF |
7.08
|
| Resource |
| Japanese macaques |
|
