Inactivation of Medial Frontal Cortex Changes Risk Preference

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Decision Science
• Behavioral Economics

Background:

• Decision-making under uncertainty is influenced by risk preference, but the underlying neural circuits are not fully understood.
• The supplementary eye field (SEF) is implicated in oculomotor decision-making, including choices involving risk.
• Previous studies observed risk-related signals in SEF, but its causal role remains unclear due to similar activity in other frontal areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal role of the supplementary eye field (SEF) in risky oculomotor decision-making.
• To determine how SEF inactivation affects choice behavior under conditions of uncertainty and varying reward potentials.

Main Methods:

• Inactivation of the supplementary eye field (SEF) in primates.
• Analysis of oculomotor choices in tasks involving varying degrees of risk and reward.
• Quantification of choice frequency, reward uncertainty attraction, and sensitivity to reward prediction errors.

Main Results:

• SEF inactivation significantly decreased the frequency of risky choices.
• The reduction in risky choices was primarily driven by diminished attraction to reward uncertainty and high potential gains.
• Inactivation did not alter the estimation of reward probability or average expected reward but increased sensitivity to reward prediction errors.

Conclusions:

• The supplementary eye field (SEF) plays a causal role in shaping risk preference during oculomotor decision-making.
• SEF's contribution to risky choices involves modulating the valuation of uncertain rewards and potential gains.
• SEF activity is crucial for risk-related valuation, rather than probability estimation or reward history adjustments.