Predictive coding of the statistical parameters of uncertain rewards by orbitofrontal neurons

O�Neill, Martin; Schultz, Wolfram

Abstract

Uncertain reward outcomes are characterised by statistical parameters that capture the numerical values of the underlying probability distributions of reward values, including the expected value, risk (variance) and probability. Here we show coding of an integrated expected value signal by single orbitofrontal neurons in response to visual cues predicting uncertain rewards. Separate subpopulations of orbitofrontal neurons predominantly code the prediction of one statistical parameter with few neurons showing combined coding. These signals are likely combined with subjective value signals to inform learning and decision making under conditions of uncertainty.

Citation

O’Neill, M., & Schultz, W. (2018). Predictive coding of the statistical parameters of uncertain rewards by orbitofrontal neurons. Behavioural Brain Research, 355, 90-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.041

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 24, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 27, 2018
• Publication Date: Dec 14, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 14, 2020
• Journal: Behavioural Brain Research
• Print ISSN: 0166-4328
• Electronic ISSN: 1872-7549
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 355
• Pages: 90-94
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.041
• Keywords: Behavioral neuroscience
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4755686
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432817307532?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Predictive coding of the statistical parameters of uncertain rewards by orbitofrontal neurons; Journal Title: Behavioural Brain Research; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.041; Content Type: article; Copyright: Crown Copyright © 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.