Speaker: Dr Melissa Sharpe
University of Sydney
NSW

 

Title: Distinct dopamine circuits encode unique neural signatures for learning

 

Abstract: There is now a lot of evidence that phasic dopamine prediction error signals act as general teaching signals to stamp in learned associations throughout the brain. This has spurred research aimed at understanding how the quintessential dopamine teaching signal might act differently in distinct circuits to support unique forms of learning. In this spirit, our lab has recorded dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, lateral hypothalamus, and ventral hippocampus during reinforcement learning. Surprisingly, this work reveals that dopamine release in these regions does not reflect a uniform teaching signal that look like a quintessential prediction error. Instead, dopamine release in these regions reflects a qualitatively unique signature that tracks learning in distinct ways. We now have evidence that these signals are contributing to different forms of learning. We are now working towards understanding how changes in dopamine release in these circuits could contribute to psychological disorders, in particular drug addiction and Alzheimer’s disease.

 

About Neuroscience Seminars

Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.

Seminars in the QBI Auditorium on Level 7 are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details. 

 

Neuroscience Seminars archive 2005-2018