Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence link economic choices to the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), but other brain regions may contribute to the computation and comparison of economic values. A particularly strong candidate is the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Amygdala lesions impair performance in reinforcer devaluation tasks, suggesting that BLA contributes to value computation. Furthermore, previous studies of BLA found neuronal activity consistent with a value representation. Here we recorded from the BLA of two male rhesus macaques choosing between different juices. Offered quantities varied from trial to trial and relative values were inferred from choices. Roughly one third of BLA cells were task-related. Our analyses revealed the presence of three groups of neurons encoding variables offer value, chosen value and chosen juice. In this respect, BLA appeared similar to OFC. The two areas differed for the proportion of neurons in each group, as the fraction of chosen value cells was significantly higher in BLA. Importantly, the activity of these neurons reflected the subjective nature of value. Firing rates in BLA were sustained throughout the trial and maximal after juice delivery. In contrast, firing rates in OFC were phasic and maximal shortly after offer presentation. Our results suggest that BLA supports economic choice and reward expectation.
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT
Economic choices rely on the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), but other brain regions may contribute to this behavior. A strong candidate is the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Previous results are consistent with a neuronal representation of value, but BLA's role in economic decisions remains unclear. Here we recorded from monkeys choosing between juices. Neurons in BLA encoded three decision variables: offer value, chosen value and chosen juice. These variables were also identified in OFC. The two areas differed for the proportion of cells encoding each variable and for the activation timing. In OFC, firing rates peaked shortly after offer presentation; in BLA, firing rates were sustained and peaked after juice delivery. These results suggest that BLA supports choices and reward expectation.
Footnotes
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
We thank Alessandro Livi, Weikang Shi and Manning Zhang for comments on the manuscript. This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grant number R01-MH104494 to CPS).
Member Log In
Log in through your institution
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$35.00
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.










