" ...Here, we demonstrate that sequential neuromodulation of STDP by acetylcholine and dopamine offers an efficacious model of reward-based navigation. Specifically, our experimental data in mouse hippocampal slices show that acetylcholine biases STDP toward synaptic depression, whilst subsequent application of dopamine converts this depression into potentiation. Incorporating this bidirectional neuromodulation-enabled correlational synaptic learning rule into a computational model yields effective navigation toward changing reward locations, as in natural foraging behavior. ..."

Region(s) or Organism(s): Hippocampus

Transmitters: Acetylcholine; Dopamine

Model Concept(s): Reinforcement Learning; Reward-modulated STDP

Simulation Environment: MATLAB

Implementer(s): Zannone, Sara [s.zannone14 at imperial.ac.uk]

References:

Brzosko Z, Zannone S, Schultz W, Clopath C, Paulsen O. (2017). Sequential neuromodulation of Hebbian plasticity offers mechanism for effective reward-based navigation. eLife. 6 [PubMed]