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Correlation and Causation: Systems Level Understanding of Decision‐Making Signals at the Single‐Neuronal Level in the Human Brain
Author(s) -
Patel Shaun R,
Sheth Sameer,
Mian Matt,
Bourne Sarah,
Flaherty Alice,
Eskandar Emad
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1124.1
Subject(s) - subthalamic nucleus , nucleus accumbens , deep brain stimulation , psychology , neuroscience , stimulation , task (project management) , cognitive psychology , medicine , central nervous system , parkinson's disease , economics , disease , management
We explored single neuronal activity from the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) in patients undergoing deep brain stimulation while actively engaged in a financial decision‐making task. In a subgroup of the subjects, we explored the effects of intermittent electrical stimulation of the STN on financial decision‐making. Subjects are presented with a computerized gambling task modeled as a simplified version of the card game “war”. We recorded 25 NAc and 20 STN from 13 patients. We found single neuronal evidence of a behavioral and prediction error signal in the nucleus accumbens and subthalamic nucleus. The behavioral signal predicted–during a discrete 500 ms interval–their upcoming financial decision well before they physically manifested their choice. The prediction error signal–the difference between expectation and outcome–occurred during a discrete 500 ms interval immediately after receiving feedback on the outcome of the current trial. Furthermore, in a subgroup of subjects, we were able to shift their behavior towards risk‐seeking by applying 1s of electrical stimulation in the STN before the trial began. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the ubiquitous nature of two reinforcement learning signals during financial‐decision making. In addition, we demonstrate a causal relationship by applying intermittent electrical stimulation to bias the decision signal.