Reward prediction error does not explain movement selectivity in DMS-projecting dopamine neurons

Abstract
Data availability
Article and author information
Metrics

Abstract

Although midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons have been thought to primarily encode reward prediction error (RPE), recent studies have also found movement-related DAergic signals. For example, we recently reported that DA neurons in mice projecting to dorsomedial striatum are modulated by choices contralateral to the recording side. Here, we introduce, and ultimately reject, a candidate resolution for the puzzling RPE vs movement dichotomy, by showing how seemingly movement-related activity might be explained by an action-specific RPE. By considering both choice and RPE on a trial-by-trial basis, we find that DA signals are modulated by contralateral choice in a manner that is distinct from RPE, implying that choice encoding is better explained by movement direction. This fundamental separation between RPE and movement encoding may help shed light on the diversity of functions and dysfunctions of the DA system.

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in the manuscript and supporting files.

Article and author information

Author details

Rachel S Lee

Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Marcelo G Mattar

Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Nathan F Parker

Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Ilana B Witten

Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States

For correspondence
iwitten@princeton.edu

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0003-0548-2160
Nathaniel D Daw

Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States

For correspondence
ndaw@princeton.edu

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0001-5029-1430

Funding

National Institute for Health Research (5R01MH106689-02)

Ilana B Witten

New York Stem Cell Foundation (Robertson Investigator)

Ilana B Witten

Army Research Office (W911NF-16-1-0474)

Nathaniel D Daw

Army Research Office (W911NF-17-1-0554)

Ilana B Witten

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Copyright

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License permitting unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.