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Neural mechanisms of foraging
Nils Kolling1, Timothy E J Behrens, Rogier B Mars
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3UD, UK. nils.kolling@psy.ox.ac.uk
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 12, 2012
Summary
Humans switch between decision-making and foraging modes, engaging different brain areas. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) handles option values, while the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) manages foraging environment value and costs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Economics
- Decision Science
Background:
- Limited-choice studies reveal neural decision-making.
- Animal foraging involves sequential choices and foraging costs.
- Understanding foraging choice mechanisms is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate neural mechanisms differentiating comparative decision-making and foraging.
- Identify distinct brain regions and reference frames for each choice mode.
Main Methods:
- Human behavioral experiments.
- Neuroimaging techniques (implied).
- Analysis of choice variables in distinct neural reference frames.
Main Results:
- Humans alternate between comparative decision-making and foraging modes.
- Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) encodes values of specific options.
- Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) encodes average foraging environment value and foraging costs.
Conclusions:
- Distinct neural mechanisms support different choice modes.
- vmPFC and ACC play specialized roles in decision-making and foraging.
- ACC utilizes an invariant reference frame for foraging decisions.
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