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A causal role for the right frontal eye fields in value comparison.
Ian Krajbich1, Andres Mitsumasu2, Rafael Polania2,3
1Departments of Psychology, Economics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, United States.
Inhibiting the frontal eye field (FEF) causally impacts decision-making by altering how visual attention influences choices and reaction times. This research clarifies the brain mechanisms underlying attention and decision processes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Decision Science
Background:
- Overt visual attention and decision-making share functional links.
- The frontal eye field (FEF) is a key region for visual attention.
- Investigating FEF's role in decision-making is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the functional interface between visual attention and decision-making mechanisms in the FEF.
- To causally investigate the role of the right FEF in choice behavior.
Main Methods:
- Combined inhibitory transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the right FEF with eye tracking.
- Utilized computational modeling with the attentional drift diffusion model (aDDM).
Main Results:
- Inhibitory TMS over the right FEF causally affected decision-making.
- Reduced influence of gaze dwell time on choice and increased reaction times.
- FEF inhibition decreased discounting of non-fixated options during choice comparison.
Conclusions:
- Established a causal role for the right FEF in decision-making.
- Elucidated the mechanism by which FEF influences choice through attention.
- Provided evidence supporting the attentional drift diffusion model's hypotheses.
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