Frontostriatal contributions to decesion making and learning

本项目的总体目标是阐明决定的神经机制 制作。成功的决策需要考虑一系列变量，包括 成功的可能性，回报的大小和质量，以及所需的努力量， 实现结果。前额叶皮层的损伤，特别是眶区和内侧区， 决策中的缺陷。此外，该区域与基底部有着广泛的联系， 神经节，涉及动作选择和强化学习的区域。该项目将侧重于 描述了该网络的不同组成部分对决策的贡献。第一 具体目标将审查不同区域是否负责处理不同变量 或者是否由一个单独的领域负责整合信息。我们的第二 具体的目的将检查神经机制参与作出不同之间的比较 选择.例如，当替代结果更接近时，神经信号是如何调制的？ 价值？我们最后的具体目标是研究如何积极和消极的结果，以行为选择 调节额纹状体区域在决策中的参与。我们的目标是确定 额叶和基底神经节内有不同的神经元群体， 积极和消极的反馈，以及识别与更普遍的学习相关的区域 一个对两种反馈都有反应的系统。使用多种方法，我们将获得收敛 为实现每一个目标提供证据。我们将使用多种技术测量神经元信号，包括 在清醒的、有行为的猴子中进行单单位神经生理学和局部场电位（LFP）的收集， 健康人的功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）， 癫痫患者接受手术评估。此外，我们将进行神经心理学检查， 在选择性额叶和纹状体损伤患者中进行的研究，以确定这些损伤的方式， 神经元区域有助于选择行为中的成功决策。发育研究 将进行，重点是儿童如何变得敏感的不同变量，限制 为后续的功能磁共振成像研究做好准备。加强各部门之间的协同作用， 这些方法，我们将奋进使用几乎相同的行为任务。基本知识 从这些研究中获得的PFC的功能组织将为以下方面提供实质性的见解： 与额纹状体功能障碍相关的认知和决策缺陷。这包括 中风、创伤性脑损伤和帕金森氏症等退行性脑疾病 疾病和额颞叶痴呆。

The overall goal of the present project is to elucidate the neuronal mechanisms that underlie decision making. Successful decision making requires consideration of a range of variables including the likelihood of success, the magnitude and quality of the payoff, and the amount of effort required to achieve the outcome. Damage to prefrontal cortex, particularly the orbital and medial regions, produces impairments in decision making. In addition, this region has extensive connections with the basal ganglia, a region implicated in action selection and reinforcement learning. The project will focus on delineating the contribution of the different components of this network to decision making. The first specific aim will examine whether different regions are responsible for processing different variables relating to decisions, or whether a single area is responsible for integrating the information. Our second specific aim will examine the neural mechanisms involved in making comparisons between different choices. For example, how are neural signals modulated when the alternative outcomes are closer in value? Our final specific aim is to examine how positive and negative outcomes to behavioral choices modulate the engagement of frontostriatal regions in decision making. We aim to determine whether there are distinct neuronal populations within the frontal lobe and basal ganglia for responding to positive and negative feedback, as well as identify regions associated with a more generalized learning system that responds to both kinds of feedback. Using multiple methodologies, we will obtain convergent evidence to address each aim. We will measure neuronal signals using a variety of techniques including single-unit neurophysiology and collection of local field potentials (LFPs) in awake, behaving monkeys, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy humans, and electrocorticography (ECoG) in epileptic patients undergoing surgerical evaluation. In addition, we will conduct neuropsychological studies in patients with selective frontal and striatal damage to determine the manner in which these neuronal regions contribute to successful decision making in choice behavior. Developmental studies will be conducted, focusing on how children become sensitive to different variables that constrain decision making and setting the stage for subsequent fMRI studies. To strengthen the synergy across these methodologies, we will endeavor to use near-identical behavioral tasks. Basic knowledge about the functional organization of PFC gained from these studies will provide substantial insights into the cognitive and decision making deficits associated with the frontostriatal dysfunction. This includes disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and frontotemporal dementia.