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Precursor processes of human self-initiated action.
Nima Khalighinejad1, Aaron Schurger2, Andrea Desantis1
1Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London WC1N 3AR, UK.
Neuroimage
|October 3, 2017
Summary
Self-initiated actions are preceded by a reduction in neural noise, not just random fluctuations. This finding offers a new perspective on the origins of voluntary movement and readiness potentials (RPs).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Motor Control
Background:
- Readiness potentials (RPs) are electrical signals preceding voluntary movements.
- Recent theories suggest RPs arise from stochastic neural activity.
- The precise neurophysiological underpinnings of self-initiated actions remain debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural precursors of self-initiated actions.
- To differentiate between stochastic fluctuations and deterministic processes in action initiation.
- To explore the role of neural noise in voluntary movement.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel experimental paradigm using endogenous 'skip' responses in a perceptual decision task.
- Compared EEG variability and mean RP during self-initiated versus externally-triggered actions.
- Utilized a leaky stochastic accumulator model to interpret findings.
Main Results:
- EEG variability decreased significantly before self-initiated actions compared to externally-triggered actions.
- This pattern suggests a consistent preparatory process for voluntary movement.
- A computational model reproduced these results with the assumption of reduced input noise.
Conclusions:
- Self-initiated actions may be characterized by a reduction in neural noise.
- This challenges purely stochastic explanations for action initiation.
- Findings provide a novel neurophysiological perspective on voluntary movement control.
Keywords:
Externally-triggered actionHumanReadiness potentialSelf-initiated actionStochastic fluctuationsMore Related Videos
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