Neurochemical Signaling of Reward-Based Learning in Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Neurons

Author

Kyla F. Wholley, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

2-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Program

Cognitive Neuroscience

Advisor

Jeff Beeler

Subject Categories

Behavioral Neurobiology | Cognitive Neuroscience

Keywords

dopamine, GABA, reward-based learning, ventral tegmental area

Abstract

Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons signal and participate in reward-related learning. Specifically, dopamine is postulated to encode reward-related environmental stimuli to compute reward prediction errors (RPEs). It is through the computation and maintenance of RPEs that learning occurs. However, little is known about the neural mechanisms that underlie how dopamine neurons compute RPEs and facilitate reward-related learning. The present study utilized fiber photometry in conjunction with a Pavlovian reward-based task to identify how GABA inputs to VTA dopamine neurons contribute to the computation of RPEs and reward-based behavior. Activity of GABA inputs to VTA dopamine neurons increased for reward-predicting cues and after the consumption of a food reward. This activity did not emerge until later in learning, signifying how GABA inputs to VTA dopamine neurons change over time. The activity of GABA inputs to VTA dopamine neurons was consistent with the change in dopaminergic activity giving evidence to the theory that GABA inputs play a role in encoding RPE-related information. Photometric recordings coupled with collected behavioral data suggest GABA encodes reward-predicting stimuli and provides this information to dopamine through GABA inputs to compute and update reward prediction errors.

Recommended Citation

Wholley, Kyla F., "Neurochemical Signaling of Reward-Based Learning in Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Neurons" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5689