Reward prediction error signals by reticular formation neurons
Abstract
As a key part of the brain’s reward system, midbrain dopamine neurons are thought to generate signals that reflect errors in the prediction of reward. However, recent evidence suggests that “upstream” brain areas may make important contributions to the generation of prediction error signals. To address this issue, we recorded neural activity in midbrain reticular formation (MRNm) while rats performed a spatial working memory task. A large proportion of these neurons displayed positive and negative reward prediction error-related activity that was strikingly similar to that observed in dopamine neurons. Therefore, MRNm may be a source of reward prediction error signals.
Footnotes
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↵1 Present address: Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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↵2 Corresponding author.
↵2 E-mail mizumori{at}u.washington.edu; fax (206) 685-3157.
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Article is online at http://www.learnmem.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/lm.1072808.
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- Received May 18, 2008.
- Accepted October 7, 2008.
- Copyright © 2008, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
