The rodent lateral orbitofrontal cortex represents expected Pavlovian outcome value but not identity

Abstract

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is critical for updating reward-directed behaviours flexibly when task contingencies are reversed, or when outcomes are devalued. We systematically examined the generality of these findings using lesions of the rodent lateral OFC (LO) in instrumental action-outcome, and Pavlovian cue-outcome, learning using specific satiety and taste aversion methods of outcome devaluation. LO lesions disrupted outcome devaluation in Pavlovian but not instrumental procedures. Furthermore, this effect was only observed when using taste-aversion devaluation. Using a specific Pavlovian-to-Instrumental transfer procedure, we established that LO is not necessary for the representation of specific outcome properties, but rather in using these properties to access the current motivational value of outcomes. The role of LO in outcome devaluation and reversal learning was also dissociable between anterior and posterior subregions. These novel dissociable task- and subregion-specific effects suggest a way to reconcile contradictory findings between rodent and non-human primate OFC research.