Thomas Akam on Model-based RL in the Brain

Thomas Akam on Model-based RL in the Brain

From TalkRL: The Reinforcement Learning Podcast by Robin Ranjit Singh Chauhan

August 4, 2025 · 52 min · Episode 68

About this episode

Prof. Thomas Akam discusses model-based reinforcement learning and its implications in neuroscience.

Prof Thomas Akam is a Neuroscientist at the Oxford University Department of Experimental Psychology. He is a Wellcome Career Development Fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, and leads the Cognitive Circuits research group . Featured References Brain Architecture for Adaptive Behaviour Thomas Akam, RLDM 2025 Tutorial Additional References Thomas Akam on Google Scholar pyPhotometry : Open source, Python based, fiber photometry data acquisition pyControl : Open source, Python based, behavioural experiment control. Uncertainty-based competition between prefrontal and dorsolateral striatal systems for behavioral control , Nathaniel D Daw, Yael Niv, Peter Dayan, 2005 Further analysis of the hippocampal amnesic syndrome: 14-year follow-up study of H. M. , Milner, B., Corkin, S., & Teuber, H. L., 1968 Internally generated cell assembly sequences in the rat hippocampus , Pastalkova E, Itskov V, Amarasingham A, Buzsáki G. Science. 2008 Multi-disciplinary Conference on Reinforcement Learning and Decision 2025

People in this episode

Guest: Thomas Akam

Topics covered

  • Model-based Reinforcement Learning
  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Circuits

Keywords

  • brain architecture
  • adaptive behavior
  • behavioral control

Mentioned in this episode

Products: pyPhotometry, pyControl

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