Rapid Visuomotor Responses Reflect Value-Based Decisions

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Decision-Making

Background:

• Sensorimotor control theories propose the brain sets time-varying feedback gains to transform sensory information into motor commands.
• Value-based decision-making influences cognitive processes by considering probabilities and reward sizes of potential options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if rapid, involuntary motor responses to visual feedback perturbations reflect high-level value-based decision-making computations.
• To determine if low-level feedback control loops are influenced by reward value and probability.

Main Methods:

• Three experiments were conducted with human participants performing reaching movements.
• Target values were manipulated by altering reward distributions, target probabilities, or both.
• Visuomotor response data to movement perturbations were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Rapid and involuntary feedback responses to movement perturbations were significantly influenced by the relative value of targets.
• A statistical model incorporating relative value and risk sensitivity best explained the visuomotor response data.
• Feedback control policies were biased towards task success, sometimes at the expense of maximum extrinsic reward.

Conclusions:

• Rapid motor feedback responses during reaching movements are modulated by the relative probabilities and rewards associated with different target options.
• Low-order sensorimotor control processes evaluate evolving sensory evidence and initiate responses based on potential reward.
• The brain specifies feedback control gains that enable adaptive, value-driven responses in low-level motor areas, integrating decision-making with motor execution.