Ultrasound modulation of macaque prefrontal cortex selectively alters credit assignment-related activity and behavior

Credit assignment is the association of specific instances of reward to the specific events, such as a particular choice, that caused them. Without credit assignment, choice values reflect an approximate estimate of how good the environment was when the choice was made-the global reward state-rather than exactly which outcome the choice caused. Combined transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging in macaques demonstrate credit assignment-related activity in prefrontal area 47/120, and when this signal was disrupted with TUS, choice value representations across the brain were impaired. As a consequence, behavior was no longer guided by choice value, and decision-making was poorer. By contrast, global reward state-related activity in the adjacent anterior insula remained intact and determined decision-making after prefrontal disruption.

Automated summary

Credit assignment is the process of associating rewards with specific events. Without proper credit assignment, choice values and decision-making abilities can be impaired.