Neurobehavioral meaning of pupil size

Neuron, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(20), P. 3381 - 3395

Published: June 25, 2024

Pupil size is a widely used metric of brain state. It one the few signals originating from that can be readily monitored with low-cost devices in basic science, clinical, and home settings. is, therefore, important to investigate generate well-defined theories related specific interpretations this metric. What exactly does it tell us about brain? Pupils constrict response light dilate during darkness, but also controls pupil irrespective luminosity. fluctuations resulting ongoing "brain states" are as arousal, what pupil-linked arousal how should interpreted neural, cognitive, computational terms? Here, we discuss some recent findings these issues. We identify open questions propose answer them through combination tasks, neurocomputational models, neurophysiological probing interconnected loops causes consequences size.

Language: Английский

---

Computational Psychiatry

Published: April 17, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Sensory perception relies on fitness-maximizing codes

Nature Human Behaviour, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(7), P. 1135 - 1151

Published: April 27, 2023

Abstract Sensory information encoded by humans and other organisms is generally presumed to be as accurate their biological limitations allow. However, perhaps counterintuitively, sensory representations may not necessarily maximize the organism’s chances of survival. To test this hypothesis, we developed a unified normative framework for fitness-maximizing encoding combining theoretical insights from neuroscience, computer science, economics. Behavioural experiments in revealed that strategies are flexibly adapted promote fitness maximization, result confirmed deep neural networks with capacity constraints trained solve same task humans. Moreover, human functional MRI data novel behavioural goals rely on object perception induce efficient stimulus early structures. These results suggest rules imposed environment applied at stages processing machines.

Language: Английский

---

Rationality, preferences, and emotions with biological constraints: it all starts from our senses

Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 264 - 277

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

Is the role of our sensory systems to represent physical world as accurately possible? If so, are preferences and emotions, often deemed irrational, decoupled from these 'ground-truth' experiences? We show why answer both questions is 'no'. Brain function metabolically costly, brain loses some fraction information that it encodes transmits. Therefore, if brains maximize objective functions increase fitness their species, they should adapt objective-maximizing rules environment at earliest stages processing. Consequently, observed 'irrationalities', preferences, emotions stem necessity for early process while considering metabolic costs internal states organism.

Language: Английский

---

The online metacognitive control of decisions

Communications Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: March 27, 2024

Difficult decisions typically involve mental effort, which scales with the deployment of cognitive (e.g., mnesic, attentional) resources engaged in processing decision-relevant information. But how does brain regulate effort? A possibility is that optimizes a resource allocation problem, whereby amount invested balances its expected cost (i.e. effort) and benefit. Our working assumption subjective decision confidence serves as benefit term hence "metacognitive" nature control. Here, we present computational model for online metacognitive control or oMCD. Formally, oMCD Markov Decision Process optimally solves ensuing problem under agnostic assumptions about inner workings underlying system. We demonstrate this makes quasi-optimal policy broad class processes, including -but not limited to- progressive attribute integration. disclose oMCD's main properties (in terms choice, response time), show they reproduce most established empirical results field value-based making. Finally, discuss possible connections between prominent neurocognitive theories effort regulation.

Language: Английский

---

Sources of confidence in value-based choice

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Dec. 17, 2021

Confidence, the subjective estimate of decision quality, is a cognitive process necessary for learning from mistakes and guiding future actions. The origins confidence judgments resulting economic decisions remain unclear. We devise task computational framework that allowed us to formally tease apart impact various sources in value-based decisions, such as uncertainty emerging encoding decoding operations, well interplay between gaze-shift dynamics attentional effort. In line with canonical theories, trial-to-trial fluctuations precision value choice consistency. However, this has no influence on reports. Instead, associated endogenous effort towards alternatives down-stream noise comparison process. These findings provide an explanation (miss)attributions value-guided behaviour, suggesting mechanistic influences states metacognitive awareness certainty.

Language: Английский

---

Barriers and solutions to the adoption of translational tools for computational psychiatry

Molecular Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 28(6), P. 2189 - 2196

Published: June 1, 2023

Abstract Computational psychiatry is a field aimed at developing formal models of information processing in the human brain, and how alterations this can lead to clinical phenomena. There has been significant progress development tasks model them, presenting an opportunity incorporate computational methodologies into large- scale research projects or practice. In viewpoint, we explore some barriers incorporation wider mainstream directions. These include time required for participants complete tasks, test-retest reliability, limited ecological validity, as well practical concerns, such lack expertise expense large sample sizes traditionally validate models. We then discuss solutions, redesigning with view toward feasibility, integration more ecologically valid standardized game platforms that be easily disseminated. Finally, provide example one task, conditioned hallucinations might translated game. It our hope interest creation accessible feasible will help methods make positive impacts on as, eventually,

Language: Английский

---

Exploring the bounded rationality in human decision anomalies through an assemblable computational framework

Cognitive Psychology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 156, P. 101713 - 101713

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Some seemingly irrational decision behaviors (anomalies), once seen as flaws in human cognition, have recently received explanations from a rational perspective. The basic idea is that the brain has limited cognitive resources to process quantities (e.g., value, probability, time, etc.) required for making, with specific biases arising byproducts of resource allocation optimized environment. While appealing providing normative accounts, existing resource-rational models limitations such inconsistent assumptions across models, focus on optimization one aspect environment, and coverage anomalies. One challenging anomaly peanuts effect, pervasive phenomenon decision-making under risk implies an interdependence between processing value probability. To extend rationality approach explain here we develop computational framework-the Assemblable Resource-Rational Modules (ARRM)-that integrates ideas different lines boundedly-rational freely assembled modules. framework can accommodate joint functioning multiple environmental factors, allow new be built tested along ones, potentially opening wider range phenomena bounded modeling. For three published datasets cover two task paradigms both gain loss domains, our reproduce characteristic features effect outperform previous fitting behaviors.

Language: Английский

---

Functional balance at rest of hemispheric homologs assessed via normalized compression distance

Frontiers in Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

Introduction The formation and functioning of neural networks hinge critically on the balance between structurally homologous areas in hemispheres. This balance, reflecting their physiological relationship, is fundamental for learning processes. In our study, we explore this functional homology resting state, employing a complexity measure that accounts temporal patterns neurodynamics. Methods We used Normalized Compression Distance (NCD) to assess similarity over time, neurodynamics, somatosensory associated with hand perception (S1). assessment was conducted using magnetoencephalography (MEG) conjunction Functional Source Separation (FSS). Our primary hypothesis posited neurodynamic would be more pronounced within individual subjects than across different individuals. Additionally, investigated whether influenced by hemisphere or age at population level. Results findings validate hypothesis, indicating NCD robust tool capturing balanced hemispheric regions. Notably, observed higher degree left compared right. Also, found intra-subject displayed greater variability older individuals younger ones. Discussion approach could instrumental investigating chronic neurological conditions marked imbalances brain activity, such as depression, addiction, fatigue, epilepsy. It holds potential aiding development new therapeutic strategies tailored these complex conditions, though further research needed fully realize potential.

Language: Английский

---

Vagus nerve stimulation during training fails to improve learning in healthy rats

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Aug. 15, 2024

Learning new skills requires neuroplasticity. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) during sensory and motor events can increase neuroplasticity in networks related to these might therefore serve facilitate learning on tasks. We tested if VNS could broadly improve a wide variety of tasks across different skill domains healthy, female adult rats. was paired with presentation stimuli or successful trials training, strategies known plasticity recovery models neurological disorders. failed either rate performance for any the tasks, which included skilled forelimb control, speech sound discrimination, paired-associates learning. These results contrast recent findings from multiple labs found pairing training produced enhancements motor, auditory, cognitive domains. speculate that contrasting may be explained by key differences task designs, timelines animal handling approaches, while able rapid early processes healthy subjects, it does not enhance difficult

Language: Английский

---