The role of the subthalamic nucleus in multi-alternative perceptual decision making revealed by 7T structural and functional MRI

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event The role of the subthalamic nucleus in multi-alternative perceptual decision making revealed by 7T structural and functional MRI Max Keuken1*, Robert Turner2, Leendert Van Maanen1, Rafal Bogacz3, Andreas Schafer2, Jane Neumann2 and Birte U. Forstmann1 1 University of Amsterdam, Netherlands 2 Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Germany 3 University of Bristol, United Kingdom Recently, quantitative mathematical and neurocomputational models have been developed that make predictions about the latent psychological processes and brain structures involved in multiple alternative decision-making. In particular, the subthalamic nucleus (STN), a small structure in the basal ganglia (BG), is hypothesized to become more active with an increasing amount of choice alternatives. This increase of activity is thought to reflect a decrease in baseline activity causing a delayed response of the output nuclei of the BG so that more evidence can be accumulated in favor of the correct response. In the present study, first the behavioral data were fit with the linear ballistic accumulator (LBA) model to capture the latent psychological processes involved in multiple alternative perceptual decision-making. Secondly, ultra-high resolution 7T functional and structural MRI data were collected to test our STN hypotheses. The best fitting LBA model parameters indicate that the threshold increases and the drift rate decreases with the number of target locations. 7T functional data showed higher stimulus-related activation with an increase of choice alternatives only in the right STN. As predicted, the STN becomes more active when the number of choice alternatives increases. This increase in activity is thought to reflect a decrease in baseline activity causing a delayed response of the output nuclei of the BG so that more evidence can be accumulated in favor of the correct response. These results are also captured by the LBA model fits as the drift rate decreases and the threshold increases due to a prolonged decision process. In sum, the present study highlights the functional role of the STN in multiple alternative perceptual decision-making. Funding: Supported by the Research Priority Program Brain & Cognition at the University of Amsterdam. Keywords: decision-making, MRI Conference: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster Sessions: Decision Making, Reward Processing & Response Selection Citation: Keuken M, Turner R, Van Maanen L, Bogacz R, Schafer A, Neumann J and Forstmann BU (2011). The role of the subthalamic nucleus in multi-alternative perceptual decision making revealed by 7T structural and functional MRI. Conference Abstract: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00388 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 24 Nov 2011; Published Online: 28 Nov 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. Max Keuken, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, mckeuken@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Max Keuken Robert Turner Leendert Van Maanen Rafal Bogacz Andreas Schafer Jane Neumann Birte U Forstmann Google Max Keuken Robert Turner Leendert Van Maanen Rafal Bogacz Andreas Schafer Jane Neumann Birte U Forstmann Google Scholar Max Keuken Robert Turner Leendert Van Maanen Rafal Bogacz Andreas Schafer Jane Neumann Birte U Forstmann PubMed Max Keuken Robert Turner Leendert Van Maanen Rafal Bogacz Andreas Schafer Jane Neumann Birte U Forstmann Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.