Dopamine prediction error responses integrate subjective value from different reward dimensions

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2014-02, Vol.111 (6), p.2343-2348
• Main Authors: Lak, Armin, Stauffer, William R., Schultz, Wolfram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Behavioral neuroscience; Biological Sciences; Dopamine - physiology; Economic value; Error rates; Error signals; Linear regression; Liquids; Macaca mulatta; Male; Monkeys; Monkeys & apes; Neurons; Neurons - physiology; Pests; Probability; Psychometrics; Reward; Risk assessment
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1321596111

Prediction error signals enable us to learn through experience. These experiences include economic choices between different rewards that vary along multiple dimensions. Therefore, an ideal way to reinforce economic choice is to encode a prediction error that reflects the subjective value integrated across these reward dimensions. Previous studies demonstrated that dopamine prediction error responses reflect the value of singular reward attributes that include magnitude, probability, and delay. Obviously, preferences between rewards that vary along one dimension are completely determined by the manipulated variable. However, it is unknown whether dopamine prediction error responses reflect the subjective value integrated from different reward dimensions. Here, we measured the preferences between rewards that varied along multiple dimensions, and as such could not be ranked according to objective metrics. Monkeys chose between rewards that differed in amount, risk, and type. Because their choices were complete and transitive, the monkeys chose “as if” they integrated different rewards and attributes into a common scale of value. The prediction error responses of single dopamine neurons reflected the integrated subjective value inferred from the choices, rather than the singular reward attributes. Specifically, amount, risk, and reward type modulated dopamine responses exactly to the extent that they influenced economic choices, even when rewards were vastly different, such as liquid and food. This prediction error response could provide a direct updating signal for economic values.