The Discrete and Continuous Brain: From Decisions to Movement-And Back Again

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Organisms act on the world by altering continuous variables like muscle length.
• Decision-making is fundamentally discrete, involving choosing between actions.
• Bridging discrete decisions and continuous action is crucial for movement and learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interface between discrete decision-making and continuous motor control.
• To apply active inference principles to understand this interface, particularly in the oculomotor system.
• To explore the role of the superior colliculus as a discrete-continuous interface.

Main Methods:

• Active inference framework applied to sensorimotor control.
• Focus on the oculomotor system as a model.
• Analysis of neuronal computations within the superior colliculus.

Main Results:

• The superior colliculus is proposed as a critical hub for integrating discrete choices with continuous motor commands.
• Formulating superior colliculus computations via active inference explains observed neuroanatomy.
• Active inference provides a unified framework for understanding action selection and execution.

Conclusions:

• The superior colliculus serves as a neural substrate for translating discrete decisions into continuous actions.
• Active inference offers a powerful lens for understanding the neurobiology of sensorimotor integration.
• Neuroanatomical features of the superior colliculus can be derived from its functional role in active inference.