A Role for the Superior Colliculus in Decision Criteria

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Decision-making research
• Sensory processing

Background:

• Decision-making relies on evaluating sensory evidence but is also influenced by internal criteria.
• The neural basis for how and where decision criteria are established in the brain is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the superior colliculus (SC) in signaling decision criteria.
• To differentiate the neural correlates of decision criteria from decision sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel "Yes-No" task to isolate changes in decision criterion from decision sensitivity.
• Computed neuronal measures of sensitivity and criterion from SC activity.
• Used electrical stimulation to manipulate SC activity and observe effects on decision-making.

Main Results:

• Neuronal activity in the SC correlated with the decision criterion, irrespective of choice report location.
• Electrical manipulation of SC activity altered decisions in a manner consistent with changes in decision criteria.
• The observed effects were largely independent of the choice report location.

Conclusions:

• Neuronal activity within the superior colliculus signals the position of a decision criterion.
• The SC is a critical brain region involved in setting internal decision thresholds.
• These findings advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying decision-making.