Arbitration between model-free and model-based control is not affected by transient changes in tonic serotonin levels.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Serotonin has been suggested to modulate decision-making by influencing the arbitration between model-based and model-free control. Disruptions in these control mechanisms are involved in mental disorders such as drug dependence or obsessive-compulsive disorder. While previous reports indicate that lower brain serotonin levels reduce model-based control, it remains unknown whether increases in serotonergic availability might thus increase model-based control. Moreover, the mediating neural mechanisms have not been studied yet.

Aim

The first aim of this study was to investigate whether increased/decreased tonic serotonin levels affect the arbitration between model-free and model-based control. Second, we aimed to identify the underlying neural processes.

Methods

SUBMITTER: Gilger MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10863371 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature