Nucleus accumbens D2R cells signal prior outcomes and control risky decision-making.

摘要: A marked bias towards risk aversion has been observed in nearly every species tested. minority of individuals, however, instead seem to prefer (repeatedly choosing uncertain large rewards over certain but smaller rewards), and even risk-averse individuals sometimes opt for riskier alternatives. It is not known how neural activity underlies such important shifts decision-making--either as a stable trait across or at the level variability within individuals. Here we describe model risk-preference rats, which individual differences, trial-by-trial choices, responses pharmacological agents all parallel human behaviour. By combining new genetic targeting strategies with optical recording during behaviour this model, identify relevant temporally specific signals from genetically anatomically defined population neurons. This occurred dopamine receptor type-2 (D2R)-expressing cells nucleus accumbens (NAc), signalled unfavourable outcomes recent past time appropriate influencing subsequent decisions, also predicted choices made. Having uncovered naturally occurring correlate selection, then mimicked signal optogenetic control decision-making demonstrated its causal effect driving risk-preference. Specifically, risk-preferring rats could be instantaneously converted precisely timed phasic stimulation NAc D2R cells. These findings suggest that differences risk-preference, well real-time risky decision-making, can largely explained by encoding D2R-expressing prior decision-making.