---
id: wiki-2026-0508-computational-neuroscience-rl
title: Computational Neuroscience & Reinforcement Learning
category: 10_Wiki/Topics
status: verified
canonical_id: self
aliases: [computational neuroscience RL, dopamine RPE, TD learning, basal ganglia, distributional RL, meta-RL]
duplicate_of: none
source_trust_level: A
confidence_score: 0.9
verification_status: applied
tags: [neuroscience, reinforcement-learning, dopamine, td-learning, distributional-rl, meta-learning, schultz, bayesian-brain]
raw_sources: []
last_reinforced: 2026-05-10
github_commit: pending
tech_stack:
  language: neuroscience / RL
  applicable_to: [RL Algorithms, Brain Disease Models, Bio-Inspired AI]
---

# Computational Neuroscience & RL

## 매 한 줄
> **"매 dopamine = 매 reward prediction error"**. Schultz 의 finding (1990s) → 매 TD-learning 의 mathematical equivalent. 매 brain ↔ AI 의 deepest connection. 매 modern: distributional RL, model-based, meta-RL.

## 매 핵심

### Schultz 의 dopamine
- 매 reward 자체 X — 매 reward prediction error (RPE).
- **Positive RPE** (better than expected): dopamine ↑.
- **Negative RPE** (worse): dopamine ↓.
- → 매 TD-error 의 exact match.

### TD Learning (Sutton-Barto)
- $\delta_t = r_t + \gamma V(s_{t+1}) - V(s_t)$
- 매 update: $V(s_t) \leftarrow V(s_t) + \alpha \delta_t$
- 매 dopamine 신호 = 매 δ.

### 매 brain 의 RL circuit
- **Basal ganglia**: 매 action selection (actor).
- **VTA / SNc**: 매 dopamine source.
- **Striatum**: 매 value function (critic).
- **Prefrontal cortex**: 매 model-based planning.
- **Hippocampus**: 매 episodic / replay.

### 매 modern findings

#### Distributional RL (Bellemare 2017, Dabney 2020)
- 매 single value X — 매 distribution over rewards.
- **Quantile Regression DQN, IQN**.
- 매 brain 의 dopamine 의 distributional code.
- 매 risk-sensitive.

#### Model-based RL
- 매 prefrontal cortex 의 simulate.
- 매 Dreamer, MuZero.
- 매 sample efficiency.

#### Meta-RL
- 매 prefrontal cortex 의 fast adaptation.
- 매 PEARL, RL².

#### Successor representation
- 매 hippocampus 의 cognitive map.
- 매 transfer learning.

#### Replay
- 매 hippocampus 의 sleep replay.
- 매 RL 의 Experience Replay.

### 매 disease modeling
- **Parkinson's**: 매 dopamine deficit → 매 RL 의 LR ↓.
- **Addiction**: 매 RPE 의 hijack ([[Addiction Neuroscience]]).
- **Depression**: 매 negative RPE bias.
- **OCD**: 매 model-based 의 over-engaged.
- **Schizophrenia**: 매 prediction error precision 의 alter.

### 매 응용
1. **AI design**: 매 brain-inspired RL.
2. **Drug development**: 매 dopamine modulator.
3. **BCI**: 매 reward signal interface.
4. **Behavioral therapy**: 매 RPE 의 reframe.
5. **Marketing / nudge**: 매 reward schedule design.

## 💻 패턴

### TD(0) value learning
```python
import numpy as np

class TDLearner:
    def __init__(self, n_states, alpha=0.1, gamma=0.95):
        self.V = np.zeros(n_states)
        self.alpha = alpha
        self.gamma = gamma
    
    def update(self, state, reward, next_state):
        td_error = reward + self.gamma * self.V[next_state] - self.V[state]
        self.V[state] += self.alpha * td_error
        return td_error  # 매 dopamine 신호 의 analog
```

### Q-Learning (off-policy)
```python
class QLearner:
    def __init__(self, n_states, n_actions, alpha=0.1, gamma=0.95, eps=0.1):
        self.Q = np.zeros((n_states, n_actions))
        self.alpha, self.gamma, self.eps = alpha, gamma, eps
    
    def act(self, state):
        if np.random.random() < self.eps:
            return np.random.randint(self.Q.shape[1])
        return self.Q[state].argmax()
    
    def update(self, s, a, r, s_next):
        td_target = r + self.gamma * self.Q[s_next].max()
        self.Q[s, a] += self.alpha * (td_target - self.Q[s, a])
```

### Distributional RL (C51)
```python
import torch
import torch.nn as nn

class C51(nn.Module):
    def __init__(self, n_actions, n_atoms=51, v_min=-10, v_max=10):
        super().__init__()
        self.n_atoms = n_atoms
        self.support = torch.linspace(v_min, v_max, n_atoms)
        self.delta_z = (v_max - v_min) / (n_atoms - 1)
        self.net = nn.Sequential(
            nn.Linear(state_dim, 128), nn.ReLU(),
            nn.Linear(128, n_actions * n_atoms),
        )
    
    def forward(self, state):
        logits = self.net(state).view(-1, n_actions, self.n_atoms)
        probs = F.softmax(logits, dim=-1)
        return probs  # 매 distribution per action
    
    def q_values(self, state):
        probs = self(state)
        return (probs * self.support).sum(-1)
```

### Eligibility trace (TD(λ))
```python
class TDLambda:
    def __init__(self, n_states, alpha=0.1, gamma=0.95, lam=0.9):
        self.V = np.zeros(n_states)
        self.e = np.zeros(n_states)  # 매 eligibility trace
        self.alpha = alpha
        self.gamma = gamma
        self.lam = lam
    
    def update(self, state, reward, next_state):
        td_error = reward + self.gamma * self.V[next_state] - self.V[state]
        self.e *= self.gamma * self.lam
        self.e[state] += 1
        self.V += self.alpha * td_error * self.e
```

### Successor representation
```python
def learn_sr(transitions, n_states, alpha=0.05, gamma=0.95):
    """매 SR(s, s') = expected discounted future visits to s'."""
    M = np.eye(n_states)
    
    for s, s_next in transitions:
        I = np.eye(n_states)[s_next]
        M[s] += alpha * (I + gamma * M[s_next] - M[s])
    
    return M

# 매 V(s) = 매 M(s, .) @ R
```

### Brain-inspired Dreamer (model-based)
```python
class Dreamer:
    def __init__(self):
        self.world_model = WorldModel()  # 매 prefrontal-like
        self.actor = Actor()
        self.critic = Critic()
    
    def imagine(self, init_state, horizon=15):
        """매 simulate trajectory in world model."""
        states, actions, rewards = [init_state], [], []
        for _ in range(horizon):
            a = self.actor(states[-1])
            s_next, r = self.world_model(states[-1], a)
            actions.append(a)
            rewards.append(r)
            states.append(s_next)
        return states, actions, rewards
    
    def train(self, real_trajectories):
        # 매 1. world model 의 train (predict next + reward)
        self.world_model.train(real_trajectories)
        
        # 매 2. actor + critic 의 imagined trajectory 의 train
        for _ in range(updates):
            init = random.choice(real_trajectories)[0]
            states, actions, rewards = self.imagine(init)
            self.critic.train(states, rewards)
            self.actor.train(states, self.critic)
```

### Disease modeling (Parkinson's)
```python
def parkinson_simulation(td_learner, dopamine_deficit=0.5):
    """매 dopamine deficit = 매 effective LR ↓."""
    td_learner.alpha *= (1 - dopamine_deficit)
    # 매 result: 매 slow learning, 매 reduced motivation.
```

### RPE-based UI feedback (gamification done right)
```python
def calibrate_reward(expected, actual):
    """매 user 의 expected vs actual 의 explicit feedback."""
    rpe = actual - expected
    if rpe > 0.3:
        return 'GREAT — exceeded expectations!'
    elif rpe < -0.3:
        return 'Try again — fell short.'
    return 'On track.'
```

## 🤔 결정 기준
| 응용 | Approach |
|---|---|
| Discrete env | Q-Learning / DQN |
| Continuous | DDPG / SAC |
| High-dim state | DQN / Rainbow |
| Model-based | Dreamer / MuZero |
| Risk-sensitive | Distributional RL |
| Sparse reward | Curiosity / RND |
| Few-shot | Meta-RL |
| Brain disease modeling | RPE + lesion |

**기본값**: 매 PPO / SAC + 매 distributional / replay. 매 brain-inspired = Dreamer.

## 🔗 Graph
- 부모: [[Reinforcement-Learning]] · [[Computational-Neuroscience-RL|Computational-Neuroscience]]
- 변형: [[TD-Learning]] · [[Distributional-RL]] · [[Meta-RL]]
- 응용: [[Disease-Modeling]]
- Adjacent: [[Bayesian-Brain-Hypothesis]] · [[Biological-Intelligence]] · [[Addiction Neuroscience]] · [[Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)]]
- Concept: [[Reward Prediction Error]] · [[Dopamine]] · [[Basal-Ganglia]]

## 🤖 LLM 활용
**언제**: 매 RL algorithm design. 매 brain-inspired AI. 매 disease model. 매 reward schedule.
**언제 X**: 매 supervised pure problem. 매 specific clinical decision (의사).

## ❌ 안티패턴
- **Scalar reward 의 only**: 매 distributional 의 lose.
- **No model (always free)**: 매 sample inefficient.
- **TD-error 의 noise**: 매 unstable.
- **Over-claim biological literal**: 매 metaphor 가 대부분.
- **Disease cure expectation from model**: 매 simulation 의 limit.

## 🧪 검증 / 중복
- Verified (Schultz dopamine, Sutton-Barto RL book, Dabney distributional, Hafner Dreamer).
- 신뢰도 A.
- Related: [[Bayesian-Brain-Hypothesis]] · [[Biological-Intelligence]] · [[Addiction Neuroscience]] · [[Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)]] · [[Reinforcement-Learning]].

## 🕓 Changelog
| 날짜 | 변경 |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-08 | Phase 1 |
| 2026-05-10 | Manual cleanup — Schultz + TD + 매 distributional / SR / Dreamer code + disease |
