Nucleus accumbens neurons track behavioral preferences and reward outcomes during risky decision making.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To make appropriate decisions, organisms must evaluate the risks and benefits of action selection. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been shown to be critical for this processing and is necessary for appropriate risk-based decision-making behavior. However, it is not clear how NAc neurons encode this information to promote appropriate behavioral responding.

Methods

Here, rats (n = 17) were trained to perform a risky decision-making task in which discrete visual cues predicted the availability to respond for a smaller certain (safer) or larger uncertain (riskier) reward. Electrophysiological recordings were made in the NAc core and shell to evaluate neural activity during task performance.

Results

At test, animals exhibited individual differences in risk-takin

SUBMITTER: Sugam JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3992205 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature