Neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex encode economic value.

ABSTRACT: Economic choice is the behaviour observed when individuals select one among many available options. There is no intrinsically 'correct' answer: economic choice depends on subjective preferences. This behaviour is traditionally the object of economic analysis and is also of primary interest in psychology. However, the underlying mental processes and neuronal mechanisms are not well understood. Theories of human and animal choice have a cornerstone in the concept of 'value'. Consider, for example, a monkey offered one raisin versus one piece of apple: behavioural evidence suggests that the animal chooses by assigning values to the two options. But where and how values are represented in the brain is unclear. Here we show that, during economic choice, neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)

SUBMITTER: Padoa-Schioppa C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2630027 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature