Reward prediction error does not explain movement selectivity in DMS-projecting dopamine neurons
Abstract
Although midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons have been thought to primarily encode reward prediction error (RPE), recent studies have also found movement-related DAergic signals. For example, we recently reported that DA neurons in mice projecting to dorsomedial striatum are modulated by choices contralateral to the recording side. Here, we introduce, and ultimately reject, a candidate resolution for the puzzling RPE vs movement dichotomy, by showing how seemingly movement-related activity might be explained by an action-specific RPE. By considering both choice and RPE on a trial-by-trial basis, we find that DA signals are modulated by contralateral choice in a manner that is distinct from RPE, implying that choice encoding is better explained by movement direction. This fundamental separation between RPE and movement encoding may help shed light on the diversity of functions and dysfunctions of the DA system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.7554/elife.42992
Entities
People
- Ilana Witten
- Marcelo G Mattar
- Nathan F. Parker
- Nathaniel Daw
- Rachel S Lee
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- New York Stem Cell Foundation
- Princeton University