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bioRxiv · 10.1101/086116

L-DOPA reduces model-free control of behavior by attenuating the transfer of value to action

Kroemer, N. B.·Lee, Y.·Pooseh, S.·Eppinger, B.·Goschke, T.·Smolka, M. N.
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Abstract

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in reinforcement learning and action control. Recent findings suggest that these components are inherently entangled. Here, we tested if increases in dopamine tone by administration of L-DOPA upregulate deliberative \"model-based\" control of behavior or reflexive \"model-free\" control as predicted by dual-control reinforcement-learning models. Alternatively, L-DOPA may impair learning as suggested by \"value\" or \"thrift\" theories of dopamine. To this end, we employed a two-stage Markov decision-task to investigate the effect of L-DOPA (randomized cross-over) on behavioral control while brain activation was measured using fMRI. L-DOPA led to attenuated model-free control of behavior as indicated by the reduced impact of reward on choice and increased stochasticity of model-free choices. Correspondingly, in the brain, L-DOPA decreased the effect of reward while prediction-error signals were unaffected. Taken together, our results suggest that L-DOPA reduces model-free control of behavior by attenuating the transfer of value to action.

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Kroemer, N. B., Lee, Y., Pooseh, S., Eppinger, B., Goschke, T., Smolka, M. N.. 2016-11-07. L-DOPA reduces model-free control of behavior by attenuating the transfer of value to action. https://doi.org/10.1101/086116

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