Brain mechanism of foraging: Reward-dependent synaptic plasticity versus neural integration of values

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Pereira-Obilinovic, Ulises; Hou, Han; Svoboda, Karel; Wang, Xiao-Jing
• 署名单位: New York University
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-11389
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318521121
• 发表日期: 2024-04-04
• 关键词: matching behavior; models; prediction; decisions; inference; cortex

摘要

During foraging behavior, action values are persistently encoded in neural activity and updated depending on the history of choice outcomes. What is the neural mechanism for action value maintenance and updating? Here, we explore two contrasting network models: synaptic learning of action value versus neural integration. We show that both models can reproduce extant experimental data, but they yield distinct predictions about the underlying biological neural circuits. In particular, the neural integrator model but not the synaptic model requires that reward signals are mediated by neural pools selective for action alternatives and their projections are aligned with linear attractor axes in the valuation system. We demonstrate experimentally observable neural dynamical signatures and feasible perturbations to differentiate the two contrasting scenarios, suggesting that the synaptic model is a more robust candidate mechanism. Overall, this work provides a modeling framework to guide future experimental research on probabilistic foraging.