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Abstract perceptual choice signals during action-linked decisions in the human brain
Florian Sandhaeger1,2,3,4, Nina Omejc1,2,3,4, Anna-Antonia Pape1,2,3,4
1Department of Neural Dynamics and Magnetoencephalography, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Plos Biology
|October 10, 2023
Summary
Human brain choices are abstract and independent of motor actions, even when linked to a response. This study reveals distinct neural representations for abstract choices, separate from motor signals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Decision-Making Research
Background:
- Human choices are often studied with motor actions, limiting understanding of abstract choice representation.
- Neural basis of abstract decision-making remains sparse, with choices often conflated with motor intentions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural representation of abstract perceptual choices in the human brain.
- To determine if choice representations are motor-independent, even when directly linked to an action.
Main Methods:
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to record brain activity.
- Multivariate decoding analyzed stimulus, perceptual choice, and motor response information.
- Participants made choices with known and unknown motor response mappings.
Main Results:
- Perceptual choices are represented abstractly and independently of motor signals in the brain.
- Choice representations were invariant to motor response mapping knowledge.
- Neural choice signals were informed by stimuli and predicted decision confidence and accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Abstract neural choice signals generalize to action-linked decisions.
- Demonstrates a distinct, abstract choice stage in human decision-making.
- Supports a general role for abstract choice representation beyond motor planning.
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