Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal Ganglia
Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) interacts with distributed networks that give rise to goal-directed behavior through afferent and efferent connections with multiple thalamic nuclei and recurrent basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits. Recent studies have revealed individual roles for different thala...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.928610/full |
| _version_ | 1828473708389335040 |
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| author | Robert G. Mair Miranda J. Francoeur Erin M. Krell Brett M. Gibson |
| author_facet | Robert G. Mair Miranda J. Francoeur Erin M. Krell Brett M. Gibson |
| author_sort | Robert G. Mair |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) interacts with distributed networks that give rise to goal-directed behavior through afferent and efferent connections with multiple thalamic nuclei and recurrent basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits. Recent studies have revealed individual roles for different thalamic nuclei: mediodorsal (MD) regulation of signaling properties in mPFC neurons, intralaminar control of cortico-basal ganglia networks, ventral medial facilitation of integrative motor function, and hippocampal functions supported by ventral midline and anterior nuclei. Large scale mapping studies have identified functionally distinct cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical subnetworks that provide a structural basis for understanding information processing and functional heterogeneity within the basal ganglia. Behavioral analyses comparing functional deficits produced by lesions or inactivation of specific thalamic nuclei or subregions of mPFC or the basal ganglia have elucidated the interdependent roles of these areas in adaptive goal-directed behavior. Electrophysiological recordings of mPFC neurons in rats performing delayed non-matching-to position (DNMTP) and other complex decision making tasks have revealed populations of neurons with activity related to actions and outcomes that underlie these behaviors. These include responses related to motor preparation, instrumental actions, movement, anticipation and delivery of action outcomes, memory delay, and spatial context. Comparison of results for mPFC, MD, and ventral pallidum (VP) suggest critical roles for mPFC in prospective processes that precede actions, MD for reinforcing task-relevant responses in mPFC, and VP for providing feedback about action outcomes. Synthesis of electrophysiological and behavioral results indicates that different networks connecting mPFC with thalamus and the basal ganglia are organized to support distinct functions that allow organisms to act efficiently to obtain intended outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:48:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-886ef32291f94f18a98f7b89645b5a45 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5153 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:48:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-886ef32291f94f18a98f7b89645b5a452022-12-22T01:18:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience1662-51532022-07-011610.3389/fnbeh.2022.928610928610Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal GangliaRobert G. Mair0Miranda J. Francoeur1Erin M. Krell2Brett M. Gibson3Department of Psychology, The University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United StatesNeural Engineering and Translation Labs, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, The University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, The University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United StatesMedial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) interacts with distributed networks that give rise to goal-directed behavior through afferent and efferent connections with multiple thalamic nuclei and recurrent basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits. Recent studies have revealed individual roles for different thalamic nuclei: mediodorsal (MD) regulation of signaling properties in mPFC neurons, intralaminar control of cortico-basal ganglia networks, ventral medial facilitation of integrative motor function, and hippocampal functions supported by ventral midline and anterior nuclei. Large scale mapping studies have identified functionally distinct cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical subnetworks that provide a structural basis for understanding information processing and functional heterogeneity within the basal ganglia. Behavioral analyses comparing functional deficits produced by lesions or inactivation of specific thalamic nuclei or subregions of mPFC or the basal ganglia have elucidated the interdependent roles of these areas in adaptive goal-directed behavior. Electrophysiological recordings of mPFC neurons in rats performing delayed non-matching-to position (DNMTP) and other complex decision making tasks have revealed populations of neurons with activity related to actions and outcomes that underlie these behaviors. These include responses related to motor preparation, instrumental actions, movement, anticipation and delivery of action outcomes, memory delay, and spatial context. Comparison of results for mPFC, MD, and ventral pallidum (VP) suggest critical roles for mPFC in prospective processes that precede actions, MD for reinforcing task-relevant responses in mPFC, and VP for providing feedback about action outcomes. Synthesis of electrophysiological and behavioral results indicates that different networks connecting mPFC with thalamus and the basal ganglia are organized to support distinct functions that allow organisms to act efficiently to obtain intended outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.928610/fullprefrontal cortexadaptive decision makingreward guided choiceaction outcome contingencymediodorsal nucleusintralaminar nuclei |
| spellingShingle | Robert G. Mair Miranda J. Francoeur Erin M. Krell Brett M. Gibson Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal Ganglia Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience prefrontal cortex adaptive decision making reward guided choice action outcome contingency mediodorsal nucleus intralaminar nuclei |
| title | Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal Ganglia |
| title_full | Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal Ganglia |
| title_fullStr | Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal Ganglia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal Ganglia |
| title_short | Where Actions Meet Outcomes: Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Central Thalamus, and the Basal Ganglia |
| title_sort | where actions meet outcomes medial prefrontal cortex central thalamus and the basal ganglia |
| topic | prefrontal cortex adaptive decision making reward guided choice action outcome contingency mediodorsal nucleus intralaminar nuclei |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.928610/full |
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