Specialized late cingulo-opercular network activation elucidates the mechanisms underlying decisions about ambiguity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Decision Science

Background:

• Cortical task control networks, particularly the cingulo-opercular (CO) network, are crucial for decision-making.
• The CO network's role in processing ambiguity and supporting task performance, especially after errors, is of significant interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the contribution of the CO network to ambiguity processing during decision-making.
• To examine the temporal dynamics of CO network activation in response to ambiguous emotional stimuli.

Main Methods:

• Two studies utilized a slow reveal valence bias task where emotional expressions were gradually uncovered.
• fMRI was employed in the main study (n=32) to record BOLD time courses from CO network regions.
• A larger online sample (n=81) participated in a follow-up study with an extended task design.

Main Results:

• Positive judgments of surprised faces correlated with slower response times and late CO network activation.
• Ambiguous trials showed a distinct, late-occurring second CO network response.
• These findings support the initial negativity hypothesis, suggesting positive judgments involve effortful, CO-mediated control.

Conclusions:

• The CO network plays a critical role in the late stages of decision-making, particularly when processing ambiguity.
• Positive judgments of ambiguous stimuli are associated with effortful cognitive control mediated by the CO network.
• The findings provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying decision-making under uncertainty.