D2 dopamine receptor expression, sensitivity to rewards, and reinforcement learning in a complex value-based decision-making task

Abstract

In the basal ganglia, different dopamine subtypes have opposing dynamics at post-synaptic receptors, with the ratio of D1 to D2 receptors determining the relative sensitivity to gains and losses, respectively, during value-based learning. This effective sensitivity to reward feedback interacts with phasic dopamine levels to determine the effectiveness of learning, particularly in dynamic feedback situations where frequency and magnitude of rewards need to be integrated over time to make optimal decisions. Using both simulations and behavioral data in humans, we evaluated how reduced sensitivity to losses, relative to gains, leads to suboptimal learning in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a complex value-learning task. In the behavioral data, we tested individuals with a variant of the human dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2; -141C Ins/Del and Del/Del) gene that associates with lower levels of D2 receptor expression (N=119) and compared their performance to non-carrier controls (N=319). The magnitude of the reward response was measured by looking at ventral striatal (VS) reactivity to rewards in the Cards task using fMRI. DRD2 variant carriers had generally lower performance in the IGT than non-carriers, consistent with reduced sensitivity to losses. There was also a positive association between VS reactivity and performance in the IGT, however, we found no statistically significant difference in this effect between DRD2 carriers and non-carriers. Thus, while reduced D2 receptor expression was associated with less efficient learning in the IGT, we did not find evidence for the moderation of this effect by the magnitude of the reward response.

Association between dopamine receptor D2 Taq IA gene polymorphism (rs1800497) and personality traits

“…It has been suggested that the A1 allele is associated with a mutation in the promoter/regulatory gene element that decreases the D2 receptor expression. 56 , 57 Although this study did not measure the density of the D2 receptors in individuals carrying the A2 allele, other studies have linked high DA receptor density to people carrying the A2 allele. 58 Reuter et al 59 reported a high DA receptor density for people homologous for the A2 allele (hyperdopaminergic) and low receptor density associated with individuals carrying the A1 allele, 59 predicting that this may have an impact on the high behavioral approach system.…”