mlsanityData to 7 Oct 2026

Deep Reinforcement Learning and its Neuroscientific Implications

arXiv 2007.03750 ↗First posted 7 Jul 2020cs.AI cs.LG q-bio.NCcited by 33

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Abstract (arXiv)

The emergence of powerful artificial intelligence is defining new research directions in neuroscience. To date, this research has focused largely on deep neural networks trained using supervised learning, in tasks such as image classification. However, there is another area of recent AI work which has so far received less attention from neuroscientists, but which may have profound neuroscientific implications: deep reinforcement learning. Deep RL offers a comprehensive framework for studying the interplay among learning, representation and decision-making, offering to the brain sciences a new set of research tools and a wide range of novel hypotheses. In the present review, we provide a high-level introduction to deep RL, discuss some of its initial applications to neuroscience, and survey its wider implications for research on brain and behavior, concluding with a list of opportunities for next-stage research.

Key facts. Cited by 33 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). First posted on arXiv 7 Jul 2020.

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Citing papers per year: 2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 8; 2024: 4; 2025: 8; 2026: 2.

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  1. 2022Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Reinforcement Learning with Graph Neural Networks: A Comprehensive review of Algorithms and Applicationscited by 27
  2. 2023Brain-inspired learning in artificial neural networks: a reviewcited by 26
  3. 2023Deep Learning for Steganalysis of Diverse Data Types: A review of methods, taxonomy, challenges and future directionscited by 16
  4. 2024Language Writ Large: LLMs, ChatGPT, Grounding, Meaning and Understandingcited by 12
  5. 2024Is artificial consciousness achievable? Lessons from the human braincited by 11
  6. 2022A Rubric for Human-like Agents and NeuroAIcited by 8
  7. 2021Measuring and modeling the motor system with machine learningcited by 7
  8. 2023Predictive auxiliary objectives in deep RL mimic learning in the braincited by 7
  9. 2021A multi-agent reinforcement learning model of reputation and cooperation in human groupscited by 6
  10. 2025Uncertainty Prioritized Experience Replaycited by 5
  11. 2022Computational Inference in Cognitive Science: Operational, Societal and Ethical Considerationscited by 4
  12. 2021Successor Feature Neural Episodic Controlcited by 3
21 more
  1. 2023Habits and goals in synergy: a variational Bayesian framework for behaviorcited by 3
  2. 2024Temporal-Difference Learning Using Distributed Error Signalscited by 3
  3. 2021Active Inference Tree Search in Large POMDPscited by 2
  4. 2021Emergent behavior and neural dynamics in artificial agents tracking turbulent plumescited by 2
  5. 2023Rejecting Cognitivism: Computational Phenomenology for Deep Learningcited by 2
  6. 2024Lifelong Reinforcement Learning via Neuromodulationcited by 2
  7. 2025Of Mice and Machines: A Comparison of Learning Between Real World Mice and RL Agentscited by 2
  8. 2026A Miniature Brain Transformer: Thalamic Gating, Hippocampal Lateralization, Amygdaloid Salience, and Prefrontal Working Memory in Attention-Coupled Latent Memorycited by 2
  9. 2022Intrinsic fluctuations of reinforcement learning promote cooperationcited by 1
  10. 2025Combining Bayesian Inference and Reinforcement Learning for Agent Decision Making: A Reviewcited by 1
  11. 2022Improving the Level of Autism Discrimination through GraphRNN Link Predictioncited by 0
  12. 2022What deep reinforcement learning tells us about human motor learning and vice-versacited by 0
  13. 2023An introduction to reinforcement learning for neurosciencecited by 0
  14. 2023Learning Control Policies of Hodgkin-Huxley Neuronal Dynamicscited by 0
  15. 2023Randomly Weighted Neuromodulation in Neural Networks Facilitates Learning of Manifolds Common Across Taskscited by 0
  16. 2025A recurrent vision transformer shows signatures of primate visual attentioncited by 0
  17. 2025One Model, Two Minds: A Context-Gated Graph Learner that Recreates Human Biasescited by 0
  18. 2025Emergence of hybrid computational dynamics through reinforcement learningcited by 0
  19. 2025Reinforcement Learning and Consumption-Savings Behaviorcited by 0
  20. 2025Neurophysiological Characteristics of Adaptive Reasoning for Creative Problem-Solving Strategycited by 0
  21. 2026Calibrating Artificial Guilt: Neurally Grounded Reward Shaping for Prosocial Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learningcited by 0