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Modeling the Functional Network for Spatial Navigation in the Human Brain
Published on: October 13, 2023
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The Neural Representation of Prospective Choice during Spatial Planning and Decisions
Raphael Kaplan1, John King2,3, Raphael Koster1,2
1Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Plos Biology
|January 13, 2017
Summary
The human brain plans novel choices using a network including the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. This brain network supports sequential decision-making and planning in new environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Humans excel at predicting action outcomes but the neural basis for planning novel choice sequences is not well understood.
- Understanding sequential planning is crucial for cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the human brain's planning of shortest paths in novel mazes.
- To differentiate brain responses to single versus sequential choices.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study brain activity during maze navigation.
- Participants planned paths in mazes with one (shallow) or two (deep) choice points.
- Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analyses examined functional connectivity.
Main Results:
- Distinct anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) responses were observed: rostrodorsal medial prefrontal cortex (rd-mPFC)/superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and lateral frontopolar cortex (lFPC).
- The hippocampus showed planning-related activity correlating with choice accuracy and response time.
- Hippocampal-rd-mPFC coupling increased during sequential planning and predicted correct choices.
Conclusions:
- A network involving the cortical midline and hippocampus facilitates prospective choice-making and maintains initial decisions during novel spatial planning.
- This study reveals how the brain handles sequential choices without extensive prior training.
- Findings advance our understanding of cognitive control and spatial navigation.
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