Neuronal reward mechanisms

Wolfram’s group is interested in relating the mechanics of brain activity to measurable behaviour. They combine behavioural, neurophysiological and neuroimaging (fMRI) methods to investigate the neural mechanisms of learning and economic decision making at the level of single neurons and individual brain structures. They use behavioural concepts from animal learning theory and economic decision theory to study neural reward signals in specific brain regions, including the dopamine system, striatum, orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala. Wolfram’s research currently investigates basic reward and risk decision variables, reward prediction errors, learning, irrational decisions, and social interactions.