A decision-space model explains context-specific decision-making

Dirk W. Beck, Cory N. Heaton, Luis D. Davila, Lara I. Rakocevic, Sabrina M. Drammis, Danil Tyulmankov, Atanu Giri, Shreeya Umashankar Beck, Qingyang Zhang, Michael Pokojovy, Kenichiro Negishi, Alexis A. Salcido, Neftali F. Reyes, Andrea Y. Macias, Serina A. Batson, Paulina Vara, Raquel J. Ibáñez Alcalá, Safa B. Hossain, Graham L. Waller, Laura E. O’Dell, Travis M. Moschak, Ki A. Goosens () and Alexander Friedman ()
Additional contact information
Dirk W. Beck: University of Texas at El Paso
Cory N. Heaton: University of Texas at El Paso
Luis D. Davila: University of Texas at El Paso
Lara I. Rakocevic: University of Texas at El Paso
Sabrina M. Drammis: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Danil Tyulmankov: University of Southern California
Atanu Giri: University of Texas at El Paso
Shreeya Umashankar Beck: University of Texas at El Paso
Qingyang Zhang: Harvard Medical School
Michael Pokojovy: Old Dominion University
Kenichiro Negishi: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Alexis A. Salcido: University of Texas at El Paso
Neftali F. Reyes: University of Texas at El Paso
Andrea Y. Macias: University of Texas at El Paso
Serina A. Batson: University of Texas at El Paso
Paulina Vara: University of Texas at El Paso
Raquel J. Ibáñez Alcalá: University of Texas at El Paso
Safa B. Hossain: University of Texas at El Paso
Graham L. Waller: University of Texas at El Paso
Laura E. O’Dell: University of Texas at El Paso
Travis M. Moschak: University of Texas at El Paso
Ki A. Goosens: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Alexander Friedman: University of Texas at El Paso

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-30

Abstract: Abstract Optimal decision-making requires consideration of internal and external contexts. Biased decision-making is a transdiagnostic symptom of neuropsychiatric disorders. We created a computational model demonstrating how the striosome compartment of the striatum constructs a context-dependent mathematical space for decision-making computations, and how the matrix compartment uses this space to define action value. The model explains multiple experimental results and unifies other theories like reward prediction error, roles of the direct versus indirect pathways, and roles of the striosome versus matrix, under one framework. We also found, through new analyses, that striosome and matrix neurons increase their synchrony during difficult tasks, caused by a necessary increase in dimensionality of the space. The model makes testable predictions about individual differences in disorder susceptibility, decision-making symptoms shared among neuropsychiatric disorders, and differences in neuropsychiatric disorder symptom presentation. The model provides evidence for the central role that striosomes play in neuroeconomic and disorder-affected decision-making.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61466-x

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