The Role of Serotonin in the Regulation of Patience and Impulsivity |
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Authors: | Katsuhiko Miyazaki Kayoko W Miyazaki Kenji Doya |
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Institution: | (1) Neural Computation Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan;(2) Computational Neuroscience Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan |
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Abstract: | Classic theories suggest that central serotonergic neurons are involved in the behavioral inhibition that is associated with
the prediction of negative rewards or punishment. Failed behavioral inhibition can cause impulsive behaviors. However, the
behavioral inhibition that results from predicting punishment is not sufficient to explain some forms of impulsive behavior.
In this article, we propose that the forebrain serotonergic system is involved in “waiting to avoid punishment” for future
punishments and “waiting to obtain reward” for future rewards. Recently, we have found that serotonergic neurons increase
their tonic firing rate when rats await food and water rewards and conditioned reinforcer tones. The rate of tonic firing
during the delay period was significantly higher when rats were waiting for rewards than for tones, and rats were unable to
wait as long for tones as for rewards. These results suggest that increased serotonergic neuronal firing facilitates waiting
behavior when there is the prospect of a forthcoming reward and that serotonergic activation contributes to the patience that
allows rats to wait longer. We propose a working hypothesis to explain how the serotonergic system regulates patience while
waiting for future rewards. |
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