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Neural Mechanisms That Make Perceptual Decisions Flexible
Gouki Okazawa1,2, Roozbeh Kiani1,3
1Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA;
Annual Review of Physiology
|November 7, 2022
Summary
Our brains flexibly adjust decision-making based on context, unlike stable lab settings. Research reveals a distributed neural network supports this adaptability in changing environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Decision Making
Background:
- Perceptual decision-making research often uses simplified, stable environments.
- Real-world environments are dynamic, requiring flexible behavioral adjustments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on neural mechanisms of flexible decision-making.
- To highlight context dependency in neural computations for decision making.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on context-dependent decision making.
- Analysis of neural activity in various brain regions during flexible decisions.
Main Results:
- Context-dependent neural activity is observed across a distributed network.
- This network includes parietal, sensory, motor, subcortical, and prefrontal regions.
- Diverse neural computations underlie context-dependent decision making.
Conclusions:
- Flexible decision-making relies on a distributed brain network, not just prefrontal control areas.
- Understanding this network is crucial for advancing cognitive neuroscience.
- Future research should focus on experimental and theoretical investigations of this network.
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