Building action repertoires based on value: Corticostriatal dynamics - Ann Graybiel

Stanford Neurosciences Institute Seminar Series Presents

Building action repertoires based on value: Corticostriatal Dynamics

Ann Graybiel, Ph.D

Professor, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Investigator, McGovern Institute, MIT

Host: Rupa Lalchandani

Abstract

Regions of the medial prefrontal cortex are known to function in organizing behavior and emotional decision-making, both key functions disturbed in a range of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. In our laboratory, we are seeking to understand mechanisms underlying these functions by applying optogenetic manipulations and microstimulation to these regions and their corticostriatal circuits. We find that we can interrupt the transition from deliberative decision-making to a habitual mode of decisions to act, and can interrupt habitual and insistently repetitive behaviors. In other experiments, we can selectively disrupt decision-making under different contexts involving weighing the costs and benefits of such choices. These experiments point to profoundly important functions of corticostriatal circuits and to their exquisite specialization. These features could be critical in linking these corticostriatal circuit mechanisms to human disorders in which value-based decision-making is affected.