TY - JOUR
T1 - Orbitofrontal cortex as a cognitive map of task space
AU - Wilson, Robert C.
AU - Takahashi, Yuji K.
AU - Schoenbaum, Geoffrey
AU - Niv, Yael
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported in part by T32 training grant 5T32MH065214 in quantitative neuroscience from the NIMH and NIDA (R.C.W.), by NIMH grant 1R01MH098861 (Y.N.), and by the Intramural Research Program at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (G.S. and Y.T.). The opinions expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not reflect the views of the NIH/DHHS.
PY - 2014/1/22
Y1 - 2014/1/22
N2 - Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) has long been known to play an important role in decision making. However, the exact nature of that role has remained elusive. Here, we propose a unifying theory of OFC function. We hypothesize that OFC provides an abstraction of currently available information in the form of a labeling of the current task state, which is used for reinforcement learning (RL) elsewhere in the brain. This function is especially critical when task states include unobservable information, for instance, from working memory. We use this framework to explain classic findings in reversal learning, delayed alternation, extinction, and devaluation as well as more recent findings showing the effect of OFC lesions on the firing of dopaminergic neurons in ventral tegmental area (VTA) in rodents performing an RL task. In addition, we generate a number of testable experimental predictions that can distinguish our theory from other accounts of OFC function.
AB - Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) has long been known to play an important role in decision making. However, the exact nature of that role has remained elusive. Here, we propose a unifying theory of OFC function. We hypothesize that OFC provides an abstraction of currently available information in the form of a labeling of the current task state, which is used for reinforcement learning (RL) elsewhere in the brain. This function is especially critical when task states include unobservable information, for instance, from working memory. We use this framework to explain classic findings in reversal learning, delayed alternation, extinction, and devaluation as well as more recent findings showing the effect of OFC lesions on the firing of dopaminergic neurons in ventral tegmental area (VTA) in rodents performing an RL task. In addition, we generate a number of testable experimental predictions that can distinguish our theory from other accounts of OFC function.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.11.005
DO - 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.11.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 24462094
AN - SCOPUS:84892714870
SN - 0896-6273
VL - 81
SP - 267
EP - 279
JO - Neuron
JF - Neuron
IS - 2
ER -