# Dopaminergic Control of the Explore-Exploit Tradeoff via Spiny Projection Neurons in the Striatum

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $2,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
In order to effectively make decisions, individuals must use their experiences to balance choices that have a
known, positive outcome (exploitation) and choices that sample alternatives to better estimate the comparative
value of the current selection (exploration). Altered regulation of these fundamental states may be central to
executive function deficits apparent in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, obsessive compulsive
disorder, Tourette’s syndrome and addiction. In order to study the neural mechanisms governing the balance
between these two states, we generated novel 3-alternative choice task for mice. We will combine this operant
behavior with cutting-edge viral, genetic and imaging tools to probe how dopamine, a neuromodulator that has
a long history of association with neuropsychiatric disorders, regulates the expression of exploratory and
exploitative behavioral states. In addition, we will perform 1-photon in vivo calcium imaging of spiny projection
neuron subtypes in the striatum, a brain area known to govern decision-making and similarly associated with
various neuropsychological disorders. This project builds off of a prominent hypothesis that suggests
dopaminergic modulation of striatal activity governs action selection by conveying the value of decisions. The
goal of this proposal is to provide me with training in cutting-edge experimental techniques such as 1-photon
calcium imaging, viral-genetic technologies, dynamical models of decision-making, and computational data
analysis. These techniques will allow me empirically test how dopamine and striatal neuron activity organize
decision-making during exploratory and exploitative behavioral states. The Fuccillo Lab at the University of
Pennsylvania has already demonstrated the ability to produce excellent research and provide premier training
to its members, making it a great fit for this proposal. In addition, the proposed work will benefit greatly from all
of the facilities and resources made available to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10419151
- **Project number:** 3F31MH125542-01A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Luigim Vargas Cifuentes
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $2,500
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10419151

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10419151, Dopaminergic Control of the Explore-Exploit Tradeoff via Spiny Projection Neurons in the Striatum (3F31MH125542-01A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10419151. Licensed CC0.

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