Neuron. 2009 September 24; 63(6): 733–745. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2009.09.003. The Neurobiology of Decision: Consensus and Controversy Joseph W. Kable and Paul W. Glimcher Abstract: This review summarizes recent neurophysiological studies of decision-making in humans and non-human primates. These studies have begun to reveal the neurobiological mechanism for primate choice, including a multi-component valuation stage in ventromedial prefrontal cortex and associated striatum, and a choice stage in lateral prefrontal and parietal areas. These findings enhance our understanding of economic and social behavior, as well as health disorders where behavior plays a key role. Introduction: Since the publication of a special issue on "Reward and Decision" in 2002, there has been a surge in interest in the neural mechanisms of decision-making. Over the past seven years, numerous studies have been published, and new societies have been formed. This review focuses on neurophysiological studies in primates and related human work, aiming to provide a synthesis of the neurophysiology of decision-making. The Basic Mechanism: Neural models of decision-making must address two key questions: how subjective values are learned, stored, and represented, and how a highly valued action is chosen from options. Valuation involves ventromedial prefrontal cortex and striatum, while choice involves lateral prefrontal and parietal areas. These regions work together in a two-stage algorithm. Stage 1: Valuation: Ventromedial prefrontal cortex and striatum encode subjective values of options. Studies show that these regions represent values in a common scale, with neurons responding to the value of rewards. These responses are independent of the spatial arrangement of stimuli and motor responses. Stage 2: Choice: Lateral prefrontal and parietal cortex are involved in selecting and implementing choices. These regions compare options and select the most valuable one. Studies show that these areas use a competitive mechanism to identify the best option. Open Questions and Controversies: There are many open questions about the details of the decision-making mechanism, including the role of different brain regions in valuation and choice. Some debates concern whether multiple valuation systems exist and how they interact. Conclusion: Neurophysiological studies have begun to solidify the basic outlines of a neural mechanism for choice. These studies suggest that the field will soon resolve many controversies and expand to address open questions. Future models of decision-making should integrate theoretical and mechanistic levels of analysis, with potential applications in understanding and treating diseases where decision-making is impaired.Neuron. 2009 September 24; 63(6): 733–745. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2009.09.003. The Neurobiology of Decision: Consensus and Controversy Joseph W. Kable and Paul W. Glimcher Abstract: This review summarizes recent neurophysiological studies of decision-making in humans and non-human primates. These studies have begun to reveal the neurobiological mechanism for primate choice, including a multi-component valuation stage in ventromedial prefrontal cortex and associated striatum, and a choice stage in lateral prefrontal and parietal areas. These findings enhance our understanding of economic and social behavior, as well as health disorders where behavior plays a key role. Introduction: Since the publication of a special issue on "Reward and Decision" in 2002, there has been a surge in interest in the neural mechanisms of decision-making. Over the past seven years, numerous studies have been published, and new societies have been formed. This review focuses on neurophysiological studies in primates and related human work, aiming to provide a synthesis of the neurophysiology of decision-making. The Basic Mechanism: Neural models of decision-making must address two key questions: how subjective values are learned, stored, and represented, and how a highly valued action is chosen from options. Valuation involves ventromedial prefrontal cortex and striatum, while choice involves lateral prefrontal and parietal areas. These regions work together in a two-stage algorithm. Stage 1: Valuation: Ventromedial prefrontal cortex and striatum encode subjective values of options. Studies show that these regions represent values in a common scale, with neurons responding to the value of rewards. These responses are independent of the spatial arrangement of stimuli and motor responses. Stage 2: Choice: Lateral prefrontal and parietal cortex are involved in selecting and implementing choices. These regions compare options and select the most valuable one. Studies show that these areas use a competitive mechanism to identify the best option. Open Questions and Controversies: There are many open questions about the details of the decision-making mechanism, including the role of different brain regions in valuation and choice. Some debates concern whether multiple valuation systems exist and how they interact. Conclusion: Neurophysiological studies have begun to solidify the basic outlines of a neural mechanism for choice. These studies suggest that the field will soon resolve many controversies and expand to address open questions. Future models of decision-making should integrate theoretical and mechanistic levels of analysis, with potential applications in understanding and treating diseases where decision-making is impaired.