Mechanisms of hierarchical reinforcement learning in corticostriatal circuits 1: computational analysis.

ABSTRACT: Growing evidence suggests that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is organized hierarchically, with more anterior regions having increasingly abstract representations. How does this organization support hierarchical cognitive control and the rapid discovery of abstract action rules? We present computational models at different levels of description. A neural circuit model simulates interacting corticostriatal circuits organized hierarchically. In each circuit, the basal ganglia gate frontal actions, with some striatal units gating the inputs to PFC and others gating the outputs to influence response selection. Learning at all of these levels is accomplished via dopaminergic reward prediction error signals in each corticostriatal circuit. This functionality allows the system to exhibit conditional

SUBMITTER: Frank MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3278315 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature