Similar functional networks predict performance in both perceptual and value-based decision tasks.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Decision Science

Background:

• Perceptual and preferential decision-making share commonalities, including contextual influence and computational model explanations.
• Neural underpinnings and functional connectivity driving these similarities in decision processes remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if perceptual and preferential decision-making rely on similar functional brain networks.
• To identify shared predictive network features across different decision-making tasks using Human Connectome Project data.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the Human Connectome Project.
• Predicted performance on a value-related task (delay discounting) and a perceptual task (flanker task).
• Examined shared predictive-network features between the two decision tasks.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between functional networks predicting value-based and perceptual tasks.
• Enhanced functional connectivity between visual and frontal brain regions was a key predictor for both decision tasks.
• Demonstrated inherent relationships between functional connections in perceptual and value-related brain areas and decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Perceptual and value-based decision-making engage overlapping functional brain networks.
• Functional connectivity, particularly between visual and frontal areas, plays a critical role in diverse decision processes.
• These findings illuminate the neural basis of decision-making across different cognitive domains.