title: The lateral prefrontal cortex and complex value-based learning and decision making.
abstract: Tremendous progress has been made in discerning the neurocognitive basis of value-based decision making and learning. Although the majority of studies to date have employed simple task paradigms, recent work has started to examine more complex aspects of value processing including: the value of engaging rule-based cognitive control; the integration of multiple pieces of information (e.g., reward magnitude and delay) to discern the best course of action; pursuing future rewards; valuation of abstract concepts (e.g., fairness); and comparing the value of executed versus imagined alternative actions. We provide a comprehensive review of functional neuroimaging, electrophysiological, and lesion evidence suggesting that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) plays a critical role in these complex aspects of value processing. In particular, we focus on the specific information that the LPFC represents, and argue that it includes both cognitive and value-based information. We also discuss how the role of the LPFC is distinct from other value-related regions. Finally, we articulate a framework for understanding the contribution of subregions along the rostro-caudal axis of the LPFC, and thereby bridge the cognitive control and decision making literatures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: mattdixon@psych.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Psychiatry University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Kalina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Cognitive control; Decision making; Lateral prefrontal cortex; Model-based learning; Rostro-caudal organization; Rules; Value; Ventromedial prefrontal cortex; fMRI; reward