Free choice activates a decision circuit between frontal and parietal cortex
Bijan Pesaran1, Matthew J Nelson, Richard A Andersen
1Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA. bijan@nyu.edu
Nature
|April 18, 2008
Summary
Neural circuits in the frontal and parietal cortex coordinate movement decisions. Increased communication between dorsal premotor area (PMd) and parietal reach region (PRR) during free choice suggests a decision-making circuit.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Decision Making
Background:
- Movement planning involves frontal and parietal cortical areas connected by long-range circuits.
- Understanding how these neural circuits coordinate to select movement goals is crucial but poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural circuit mechanisms underlying decision-making during movement selection.
- To examine the interaction between the dorsal premotor area (PMd) and the parietal reach region (PRR) during free choice.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from PMd and PRR in monkeys.
- Analysis of spike and local field potential (LFP) activity correlations between the two areas.
Main Results:
- Spike and LFP activity correlations between PMd and PRR were significantly higher during free choice compared to instructed movements.
- This suggests enhanced information exchange between these frontal and parietal areas during decision-making.
Conclusions:
- A decision circuit involving specific cell populations in frontal and parietal cortex likely coordinates activity for movement selection.
- This circuit may influence movement choices by providing a common bias to goal selection.
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