Why
do
some
mental
activities
feel
harder
than
others?
The
answer
to
this
question
is
surprisingly
controversial.
Current
theories
propose
that
cognitive
effort
affords
a
computational
benefit,
such
as
instigating
switch
from
an
activity
with
low
reward
value
different
higher
value.
By
contrast,
in
article
I
relate
the
fact
brain
neuroanatomy
and
neurophysiology
render
neural
states
more
energy-efficient
others.
introduce
concept
of
“controllosphere,”
energy-inefficient
region
state
space
associated
high
control,
which
surrounds
better-known
“intrinsic
manifold”,
subspace
control.
Integration
control-theoretic
principles
classic
neurocomputational
models
control
suggests
dorsolateral
prefrontal
cortex
(DLPFC)
implements
controller
can
drive
system
into
controllosphere,
anterior
cingulate
(ACC)
observer
monitors
changes
controlled
system,
reflects
mismatch
between
DLPFC
ACC
energies
for
observation.
On
account,
scales
energetic
demands
signal,
especially
when
consequences
are
unobservable
by
ACC.
Further,
transitions
through
controllosphere
lead
buildup
waste.
Cognitive
therefore
prevents
against
damage
discouraging
extended
periods
Frontiers in Psychology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
13
Published: June 30, 2022
Pursuing
a
precise,
focused
train
of
thought
requires
cognitive
effort.
Even
more
effort
is
necessary
when
alternatives
need
to
be
considered
or
the
imagined
situation
becomes
complex.
Cognitive
resources
available
us
limit
we
can
spend.
In
line
with
previous
work,
an
information-theoretic,
Bayesian
brain
approach
pursued:
solve
tasks
in
our
environment,
needs
invest
information,
that
is,
negative
entropy,
impose
structure,
focus,
away
from
uniform
structure
other
task-incompatible,
latent
structures.
To
get
complete
formalization
effort,
resourceful
event-predictive
inference
model
(REPI)
introduced,
which
offers
computational
and
algorithmic
explanations
about
generative
models,
active
dynamics
unfold
within,
required
steer
dynamics—to,
for
example,
purposefully
process
sensory
signals,
decide
on
responses,
invoke
their
execution.
REPI
suggests
infer
preparatory
priors,
activate
anticipate
action
consequences.
Due
limited
resources,
though,
are
prone
task-irrelevant
distractions.
For
side
imperative
stimulus
causes
Simon
effect
and,
due
similar
reasons,
fail
optimally
switch
between
tasks.
An
actual
implementation
simulates
such
task
interactions
first
estimates
involved
The
may
further
studied
promises
offer
deeper
why
quickly
exhausted
multitasking,
how
influenced
by
irrelevant
modalities,
exhibit
magnitude
interference,
during
social
interactions,
often
take
perspective
others
into
account.
Clinical EEG and Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 15, 2024
Alterations
of
mismatch
responses
(ie,
neural
activity
evoked
by
unexpected
stimuli)
are
often
considered
a
potential
biomarker
schizophrenia.
Going
beyond
establishing
the
type
observed
alterations
found
in
diagnosed
patients
and
related
cohorts,
computational
methods
can
yield
valuable
insights
into
underlying
disruptions
mechanisms
cognitive
function.
Here,
we
adopt
typology
model-based
approaches
from
neuroscience,
providing
an
overview
study
their
schizophrenia
four
complementary
perspectives:
(a)
connectivity
models,
(b)
decoding
(c)
network
(d)
models.
Connectivity
models
aim
at
inferring
effective
patterns
between
brain
regions
that
may
underlie
measured
sensor
level.
Decoding
use
multivariate
spatiotemporal
response
to
infer
sensory
violations
or
classify
participants
based
on
diagnosis.
Neural
such
as
deep
convolutional
networks
be
used
for
improved
classification
performance
well
systematic
various
aspects
empirical
data.
Finally,
quantify
terms
signaling
updating
perceptual
predictions
over
time.
In
addition
describing
available
methodology
reviewing
results
recent
psychiatry
studies,
offer
suggestions
future
work
applying
techniques
advance
PLoS Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
22(11), P. e3002829 - e3002829
Published: Nov. 11, 2024
Perception
is
shaped
by
both
incoming
sensory
input
and
expectations
derived
from
our
prior
knowledge.
Numerous
studies
have
shown
stronger
neural
activity
for
surprising
inputs,
suggestive
of
predictive
processing.
However,
it
largely
unclear
what
predictions
are
made
across
the
cortical
hierarchy,
therefore
kind
surprise
drives
this
up-regulation
activity.
Here,
we
leveraged
fMRI
in
human
volunteers
deep
network
(DNN)
models
to
arbitrate
between
2
hypotheses:
prediction
errors
may
signal
a
local
mismatch
expectation
at
each
level
or
be
computed
higher
levels
resulting
broadcast
earlier
areas
hierarchy.
Our
results
align
with
latter
hypothesis.
Prediction
low-
high-level
visual
cortex
responded
high-level,
but
not
low-level,
surprise.
This
scaling
early
strongly
diverged
feedforward
tuning.
Combined,
suggest
that
constrain
processing
areas,
thereby
aiding
perceptual
inference.
The
specialised
regional
functionality
of
the
mature
human
cortex
partly
emerges
through
experience-dependent
specialisation
during
early
development.
Our
existing
understanding
functional
in
infant
brain
is
based
on
evidence
from
unitary
imaging
modalities
and
has
thus
focused
isolated
estimates
spatial
or
temporal
selectivity
neural
haemodynamic
activation,
giving
an
incomplete
picture.
We
speculate
that
will
be
underpinned
by
better
coordinated
metabolic
changes
a
broadly
orchestrated
physiological
response.
To
enable
researchers
to
track
this
process
development,
we
develop
new
tools
allow
simultaneous
measurement
activity
(EEG),
rate,
oxygenated
blood
supply
(broadband
near-infrared
spectroscopy)
awake
infant.
In
4-
7-month-old
infants,
use
these
show
social
processing
accompanied
spatially
temporally
specific
increases
coupled
activation
temporal-parietal
junction,
core
hub
region
adult
brain.
During
non-social
processing,
decreased
same
region,
indicating
specificity
processing.
Coupling
was
strongest
with
high-frequency
(beta
gamma),
consistent
greater
energetic
requirements
more
localised
action
activity.
development
multimodal
measures
future
open
vistas
Why
do
some
mental
activities
feel
harder
than
others?
The
answer
to
this
question
is
surprisingly
controversial.
Current
theories
propose
that
cognitive
effort
affords
a
computational
benefit,
such
as
instigating
switch
from
an
activity
with
low
reward
value
different
higher
value.
By
contrast,
in
article
I
relate
the
fact
brain
neuroanatomy
and
neurophysiology
render
neural
states
more
energy-efficient
others.
introduce
concept
of
“controllosphere,”
energy-inefficient
region
state
space
associated
high
control,
which
surrounds
better-known
“intrinsic
manifold”,
subspace
control.
Integration
control-theoretic
principles
classic
neurocomputational
models
control
suggests
dorsolateral
prefrontal
cortex
(DLPFC)
implements
controller
can
drive
system
into
controllosphere,
anterior
cingulate
(ACC)
observer
monitors
changes
controlled
system,
reflects
mismatch
between
DLPFC
ACC
energies
for
observation.
On
account,
scales
energetic
demands
signal,
especially
when
consequences
are
unobservable
by
ACC.
Further,
transitions
through
controllosphere
lead
buildup
waste.
Cognitive
therefore
prevents
against
damage
discouraging
extended
periods