Midbrain dopamine neurons signal preference for advance information about upcoming rewards

Neuron. 2009 Jul 16;63(1):119-26. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.06.009.

Abstract

The desire to know what the future holds is a powerful motivator in everyday life, but it is unknown how this desire is created by neurons in the brain. Here we show that when macaque monkeys are offered a water reward of variable magnitude, they seek advance information about its size. Furthermore, the same midbrain dopamine neurons that signal the expected amount of water also signal the expectation of information, in a manner that is correlated with the strength of the animal's preference. Our data show that single dopamine neurons process both primitive and cognitive rewards, and suggest that current theories of reward-seeking must be revised to include information-seeking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Conditioning, Operant / physiology*
  • Cues
  • Decision Making / physiology
  • Discrimination Learning / physiology
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Eye Movements / physiology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Mesencephalon / cytology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Reward*
  • Signal Detection, Psychological / physiology*
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • Dopamine