scholarly journals Distinct roles for dopamine clearance mechanisms in regulating behavioral flexibility

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clio Korn ◽  
Thomas Akam ◽  
Kristian H. R. Jensen ◽  
Cristiana Vagnoni ◽  
Anna Huber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Behavioral Flexibility ◽  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens Core ◽  
Comt Inhibition ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Dopamine Signaling ◽  
Precise Relationship ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Kinetics Of

AbstractDopamine plays a crucial role in adaptive behavior, and dysfunctional dopamine is implicated in multiple psychiatric conditions characterized by inflexible or inconsistent choices. However, the precise relationship between dopamine and flexible decision making remains unclear. One reason is that, while many studies have focused on the activity of dopamine neurons, efficient dopamine signaling also relies on clearance mechanisms, notably the dopamine transporter (DAT), which predominates in striatum, and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which predominates in cortex. The exact locus, extent, and timescale of the effects of DAT and COMT are uncertain. Moreover, there is limited data on how acute disruption of either mechanism affects flexible decision making strategies mediated by cortico-striatal networks. To address these issues, we combined pharmacological modulation of DAT and COMT with electrochemistry and behavior in mice. DAT blockade, but not COMT inhibition, regulated sub-second dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core, but surprisingly neither clearance mechanism affected evoked release in prelimbic cortex. This was not due to a lack of sensitivity, as both amphetamine and atomoxetine changed the kinetics of sub-second release. In a multi-step decision making task where mice had to respond to reversals in either reward probabilities or the choice sequence to reach the goal, DAT blockade selectively impaired, and COMT inhibition improved, performance after reward reversals, but neither manipulation affected the adaptation of choices after action-state transition reversals. Together, our data suggest that DAT and COMT shape specific aspects of behavioral flexibility by regulating different aspects of the kinetics of striatal and cortical dopamine, respectively.

scholarly journals Distinct roles for dopamine clearance mechanisms in regulating behavioral flexibility

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clio Korn ◽  
Thomas Akam ◽  
Kristian H R Jensen ◽  
Cristiana Vagnoni ◽  
Anna Huber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Behavioral Flexibility ◽  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens Core ◽  
Comt Inhibition ◽  
Clearance Mechanism ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Dopamine Signaling ◽  
Precise Relationship ◽  
And Behavior

Dopamine plays a crucial role in adaptive behavior, and dysfunctional dopamine is implicated in multiple psychiatric conditions characterized by inflexible or inconsistent choices. However, the precise relationship between dopamine and flexible decision making remains unclear. One reason is that, while many studies have focused on the activity of dopamine neurons, efficient dopamine signaling also relies on clearance mechanisms, notably the dopamine transporter (DAT), which predominates in striatum, and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which predominates in cortex. The exact locus, extent, and timescale of the effects of DAT and COMT are uncertain. Moreover, there is limited data on how acute disruption of either mechanism affects flexible decision making strategies mediated by cortico-striatal networks. To address these issues, we combined pharmacological modulation of DAT and COMT with electrochemistry and behavior in mice. DAT blockade, but not COMT inhibition, regulated sub-second dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core, but surprisingly neither clearance mechanism affected evoked release in prelimbic cortex. This was not due to a lack of sensitivity, as both amphetamine and atomoxetine changed the kinetics of sub-second release. In a multi-step decision making task where mice had to respond to reversals in either reward probabilities or the choice sequence to reach the goal, DAT blockade selectively impaired, and COMT inhibition improved, performance after reward reversals, but neither manipulation affected the adaptation of choices after action-state transition reversals. Together, our data suggest that DAT and COMT shape specific aspects of behavioral flexibility by regulating striatal and cortical dopamine, respectively, at fast and slow timescales.

scholarly journals Models of heterogeneous dopamine signaling in an insect learning and memory center

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linnie Jiang ◽  
Ashok Litwin-Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Mushroom Body ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Insect Learning ◽  
External Reinforcement ◽  
Learned Behaviors ◽  
Architectural Constraints ◽  
Dopamine Signaling ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Task Parameters

AbstractThe Drosophila mushroom body exhibits dopamine dependent synaptic plasticity that underlies the acquisition of associative memories. Recordings of dopamine neurons in this system have identified signals related to external reinforcement such as reward and punishment. However, other factors including locomotion, novelty, reward expectation, and internal state have also recently been shown to modulate dopamine neurons. This heterogeneity is at odds with typical modeling approaches in which these neurons are assumed to encode a global, scalar error signal. How is dopamine dependent plasticity coordinated in the presence of such heterogeneity? We develop a modeling approach that infers a pattern of dopamine activity sufficient to solve defined behavioral tasks, given architectural constraints informed by knowledge of mushroom body circuitry. Model dopamine neurons exhibit diverse tuning to task parameters while nonetheless producing coherent learned behaviors. Our results provide a mechanistic framework that accounts for the heterogeneity of dopamine activity during learning and behavior.

scholarly journals Cytokine Kinetics in Febrile Neutropenic Children: Insights on the Usefulness as Sepsis Biomarkers, Influence of Filgrastim, and Behavior of the IL-23/IL-17 Pathway

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlei Ribeiro de Araujo ◽  
Reinaldo Salomão ◽  
Milena Karina Coló Brunialti ◽  
Dafne Cardoso Bourguignon da Silva ◽  
Andreza Almeida Senerchia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Risk Assessment Model ◽  
Gm Csf ◽  
Early Biomarkers ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Kinetics Of

Background.The study aimed to describe the kinetics of various cytokines from day 1 to day 14 of the onset of fever in neutropenic children and to evaluate their performances as discriminators of sepsis in the first 24 hours of fever, the possible influence of filgrastim, and the functioning of the IL-23/IL-17 axis.Methods.IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12/23p40, IL-21, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, G-CSF, and GM-CSF were measured in plasma on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 14 from the onset of fever in 35 patients.Results.Thirteen patients (37.1%) developed sepsis. In mixed models, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and G-CSF showed higher estimated means in septic patients (P<0.005), and IL-12/23p40 and IL-17 in nonseptic patients (P<0.05). On day 1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 appeared upregulated in patients who received filgrastim. Only IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and procalcitonin were useful as discriminators of sepsis. Associating the markers with each other or to a risk assessment model improved performance.Conclusions.Cytokines kinetics showed proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses similar to what is described in nonneutropenic patients. IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, and procalcitonin are useful as early biomarkers of sepsis. Filgrastim upregulates expression of these markers, and we observed deficiency in the IL-23-IL-17 axis accompanying sepsis.

scholarly journals Models of heterogeneous dopamine signaling in an insect learning and memory center

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. e1009205
Author(s):  
Linnie Jiang ◽  
Ashok Litwin-Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Mushroom Body ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Population Activity ◽  
Insect Learning ◽  
External Reinforcement ◽  
Learned Behaviors ◽  
Dopamine Signaling ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Task Parameters

The Drosophila mushroom body exhibits dopamine dependent synaptic plasticity that underlies the acquisition of associative memories. Recordings of dopamine neurons in this system have identified signals related to external reinforcement such as reward and punishment. However, other factors including locomotion, novelty, reward expectation, and internal state have also recently been shown to modulate dopamine neurons. This heterogeneity is at odds with typical modeling approaches in which these neurons are assumed to encode a global, scalar error signal. How is dopamine dependent plasticity coordinated in the presence of such heterogeneity? We develop a modeling approach that infers a pattern of dopamine activity sufficient to solve defined behavioral tasks, given architectural constraints informed by knowledge of mushroom body circuitry. Model dopamine neurons exhibit diverse tuning to task parameters while nonetheless producing coherent learned behaviors. Notably, reward prediction error emerges as a mode of population activity distributed across these neurons. Our results provide a mechanistic framework that accounts for the heterogeneity of dopamine activity during learning and behavior.

scholarly journals Acetylcholine-dependent phasic dopamine activity signals exploratory locomotion and choices

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Naudé ◽  
S. Didienne ◽  
S. Takillah ◽  
C. Prévost-Solié ◽  
U. Maskos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Reinforcement Learning ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Stereotyped Behavior ◽  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine ◽  
Spatial Decision Making ◽  
And Behavior

ABSTRACTDopamine neurons from the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) switch from tonic to phasic burst firing in response to reward-predictive cues and actions. Bursting is influenced by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are not implicated in reinforcement learning, but rather in exploration and uncertainty-seeking. The leading model assigns these functions to tonic dopamine firing. To investigate this paradox, we recorded the activity of VTA dopamine neurons during a spatial decision-making task. When reward was certain, mice adopted a stereotyped behavior, and dopamine neurons signaled reward. When confronted with uncertain rewards or a novel environment, mice exhibited exploration. Modulation of phasic, but not tonic, dopamine activity predicted uncertainty-seeking and locomotor exploration. Deletion of nAChRs disrupted the influence of uncertainty and novelty on dopamine firing and behavior, sparing reward signaling and learning. Hence, nAChR modulation of dopamine neurons can influence cognitive functions on a short timescale, through the modulation of phasic, synchronous bursting.

Influence of Confucian culture on entrepreneurial decision making using data from China's floating population

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ran Xiong ◽  
Ping Wei
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Floating Population ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Confucian Culture ◽  
Chinese Nation ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Entrepreneurial Decision ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship

Confucian culture has had a deep-rooted influence on Chinese thinking and behavior for more than 2,000 years. With a manually created Confucian culture database and the 2017 China floating population survey, we used empirical analysis to test the relationship between Confucian culture and individual entrepreneurial choice using data obtained from China's floating population. After using the presence and number of Confucian schools and temples, and of chaste women as instrumental variables to counteract problems of endogeneity, we found that Confucian culture had a significant role in promoting individuals' entrepreneurial decision making among China's floating population. The results showed that, compared with those from areas of China not strongly influenced by Confucian culture, individuals from areas that are strongly influenced by Confucian culture were more likely to choose entrepreneurship as their occupation choice. Our findings reveal cultural factors that affect individual entrepreneurial behavior, and also illustrate the positive role of Confucianism as a representative of the typical cultures of the Chinese nation in the 21st century.

Attention Allocation to Physically Separate Task and Situation Displays in a Command and Control Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1130-1134
Author(s):  
H. Golan ◽  
A. Parush ◽  
E. Jaffe
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Command And Control ◽  
Attention Allocation ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Allocation Strategy ◽  
Individual Task ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Control

Using a simulated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) dispatch center during multi-casualty incident management, this study explored whether the presence of a separate situation display in a Command and Control (C2) setting might require attention at the expense of attending an individual task display, and how it influenced performance and situational awareness. Overall, participants always attended the task display more than the situation display. However, the situation display drew attention at the expense of attending less the task display. The presence of the situation display was related to improved performance and better situational awareness (SA), particularly in the projection level of the SA, which could account also for the better decision-making performance. Participants may have developed an attention allocation strategy to effectively utilize the information of the situation display and execute their tasks on the task display.

Knowing bears: An ethnographic study of knowledge and agency in human–bear cohabitation

2021 ◽  
pp. 251484862110150
Author(s):  
Svetoslava Toncheva ◽  
Robert Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Human Research ◽  
Research Challenges ◽  
Living Together ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior

This article explores a case of human–wildlife cohabitation in the Rodopi mountains of Bulgaria, wherein people and brown bears ( Ursus arctos) have adapted to living together in relative harmony. While this is due to a variety of factors, chief among these is the way both people and bears appear to pursue knowledge of one another and act on this knowledge so as to actively minimize potential for conflict. We draw on this case to contribute to growing discussion concerning how nonhumans should be understood and included within conservation policymaking. While conservation has conventionally been understood as something humans do on behalf of other species, a growing body of “more-than-human” research challenges this perspective as “anthropocentric” in arguing that nonhumans should be considered “co-constitutive actors” of the spaces they occupy. Based on this understanding, some go so far as to assert that a “multispecies ethics” demands that nonhumans be actively included in decision-making concerning such spaces’ governance. While our study indeed demonstrates that both humans and bears seem to mold their behavior in relation to their sensing of the other’s behavior, it also demonstrates that knowledge of bears’ behavior is ultimately always interpreted by humans in conservation management. Moreover, different groups of stakeholders hold different knowledge of bears that influence their attitudes and behavior towards the animals. The study thus raises important questions concerning how to incorporate bears (and other nonhumans) within conservation decision-making, and whose knowledge should be privileged in the process.

Piano+: An Approach towards a Performance System Used within Free Improvisation

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Sebastian Lexer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Parameter Space ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Computer Performance ◽  
Free Improvisation ◽  
Technical Realization ◽  
Acoustic Instruments ◽  
Performance System ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Computer Operation

This article explores the author's strategy for developing a computer performance system designed for free improvisation with acoustic instruments following a non-idiomatic approach. Philosophical considerations on potentiality and personal and social space and research into the psychology of motivation and behavior have inspired and enabled a different approach to integrating technology with improvisation. The technical realization of a parameter space, in particular utilizing contingent behavior emerging from the convergent mapping of a mixture of controller types, has proven effective for the spontaneous creative decision making required to extend the sonic potential of an acoustic piano while minimizing direct computer operation, as applied regularly in practice by the author.

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