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A neural mechanism for terminating decisions.

Gabriel M Stine1, Eric M Trautmann2, Danique Jeurissen3

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The brain

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Decision-making
  • Cognitive neuroscience

Background:

  • Neural mechanisms for accumulating evidence during decision-making are known in association cortex.
  • However, the specific brain regions and mechanisms responsible for terminating these decisions remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the superior colliculus (SC) in terminating perceptual decisions.
  • To elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying decision termination.

Main Methods:

  • Simultaneous neural recordings from the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) and SC in monkeys performing perceptual decisions.
  • Analysis of single-trial neural dynamics and the effects of SC inactivation on behavior and LIP activity.

Main Results:

  • Distinct neural dynamics were observed: LIP neurons showed drift-diffusion activity, while SC neurons exhibited bursting dynamics.
  • Inactivation of the SC impaired decision termination, mimicking a faulty threshold sensor, and prolonged evidence accumulation in LIP.

Conclusions:

  • The superior colliculus (SC) plays a causal role in terminating decisions.
  • SC bursting dynamics may represent a threshold mechanism that terminates evidence accumulation processed in LIP, thus transforming deliberation into commitment.