Ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron activity mediates multi-valent outcomes during decision making under risk of punishment
Wonn S. Pyon, Omar A. Viera-Resto, Mojdeh Faraji, Shelby L. Blaes, Caitlin A. Orsini, Max S Gotlin, Christos Raptis, Carolina Cruz-Wegener, Azin Behnood‐Rod, Brandon M Hellbusch, S Joseph, Jacob Barrett, Hannah M. Holik, Sarthak M. Singhal, Matthew R. Burns, , Barry Setlow
This study investigates how VTA dopamine neuron activity influences decision-making under risk of punishment in rats, finding that their activity scales with punishment probability and intensity and causally affects subsequent choices.
bioRxiv · Jul 20, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience