Hierarchical Learning Induces Two Simultaneous, But Separable, Prediction Errors in Human Basal Ganglia

Publication Year
2013

Type

Journal Article
Abstract
Studies suggest that dopaminergic neurons report a unitary, global reward prediction error signal. However, learning in complex real-life tasks, in particular tasks that show hierarchical structure, requires multiple prediction errors that may coincide in time. We used functional neuroimaging to measure prediction error signals in humans performing such a hierarchical task involving simultaneous, uncorrelated prediction errors. Analysis of signals in a priori anatomical regions of interest in the ventral striatum and the ventral tegmental area indeed evidenced two simultaneous, but separable, prediction error signals corresponding to the two levels of hierarchy in the task. This result suggests that suitably designed tasks may reveal a more intricate pattern of firing in dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, the need for downstream separation of these signals implies possible limitations on the number of different task levels that we can learn about simultaneously.
Journal
Journal of Neuroscience
Volume
33
Issue
13
Pages
5797–5805
Date Published
03/2013
ISSN Number
0270-6474
ISBN
0270-6474
URL