The role of mPFC and MTL neurons in human choice under goal-conflict

Tomer Gazit, Tal Gonen, Guy Gurevitch, Noa Cohen, Ido Strauss, Yoav Zeevi, Hagar Yamin, Firas Fahoum, Talma Hendler () and Itzhak Fried
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Tomer Gazit: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Tal Gonen: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Guy Gurevitch: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Noa Cohen: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Ido Strauss: Tel Aviv University
Yoav Zeevi: Tel Aviv University
Hagar Yamin: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Firas Fahoum: Tel Aviv University
Talma Hendler: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Itzhak Fried: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Resolving approach-avoidance conflicts relies on encoding motivation outcomes and learning from past experiences. Accumulating evidence points to the role of the Medial Temporal Lobe (MTL) and Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC) in these processes, but their differential contributions have not been convincingly deciphered in humans. We detect 310 neurons from mPFC and MTL from patients with epilepsy undergoing intracranial recordings and participating in a goal-conflict task where rewards and punishments could be controlled or not. mPFC neurons are more selective to punishments than rewards when controlled. However, only MTL firing following punishment is linked to a lower probability for subsequent approach behavior. mPFC response to punishment precedes a similar MTL response and affects subsequent behavior via an interaction with MTL firing. We thus propose a model where approach-avoidance conflict resolution in humans depends on outcome value tagging in mPFC neurons influencing encoding of such value in MTL to affect subsequent choice.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16908-z

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