Abstract:

Risk-based Decision making is to choose between options with known outcomes and certain distribution of possibilities. Previous research, based on rodent models, has found that prefrontal-limbic- striatal circuits are the critical substance of Risk-based Decision making. Specifically, orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortex mainly contribute to the decisions formulation and flexibility of switching among a variety of strategies. While the basolateral amygdala and the nucleus accumbens are mostly involved in maintaining strategies and evaluating their values, mediating the preference to different options and adjusting the intensity of action. Besides, orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and dopaminergic neurons encode probabilities and risky information in the course of Risk-based Decision making. Furthermore, dopamine and some other monoamine neurotransmitters also exert complex effects on Risk-based Decision making in both receptor-type specific and brain-region specific ways.

Key words: risk-based decision making, rodent models, neural circuits, prefrontal cortex, dopamine