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A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity

People often make perceptual decisions with ambiguous information, but it remains unclear whether the brain has a common neural substrate that encodes various forms of perceptual ambiguity. Here, we used three types of perceptually ambiguous stimuli as well as task instructions to examine the neural...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Sun, Sai, Yu, Rongjun, Wang, Shuo
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Society for Neuroscience 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5701297/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29177189
http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0235-17.2017
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author Sun, Sai
Yu, Rongjun
Wang, Shuo
author_facet Sun, Sai
Yu, Rongjun
Wang, Shuo
author_sort Sun, Sai
collection PubMed
description People often make perceptual decisions with ambiguous information, but it remains unclear whether the brain has a common neural substrate that encodes various forms of perceptual ambiguity. Here, we used three types of perceptually ambiguous stimuli as well as task instructions to examine the neural basis for both stimulus-driven and task-driven perceptual ambiguity. We identified a neural signature, the late positive potential (LPP), that encoded a general form of stimulus-driven perceptual ambiguity. In addition to stimulus-driven ambiguity, the LPP was also modulated by ambiguity in task instructions. To further specify the functional role of the LPP and elucidate the relationship between stimulus ambiguity, behavioral response, and the LPP, we employed regression models and found that the LPP was specifically associated with response latency and confidence rating, suggesting that the LPP encoded decisions under perceptual ambiguity. Finally, direct behavioral ratings of stimulus and task ambiguity confirmed our neurophysiological findings, which could not be attributed to differences in eye movements either. Together, our findings argue for a common neural signature that encodes decisions under perceptual ambiguity but is subject to the modulation of task ambiguity. Our results represent an essential first step toward a complete neural understanding of human perceptual decision making.
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spelling pubmed-57012972017-11-24 A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity Sun, Sai Yu, Rongjun Wang, Shuo eNeuro New Research People often make perceptual decisions with ambiguous information, but it remains unclear whether the brain has a common neural substrate that encodes various forms of perceptual ambiguity. Here, we used three types of perceptually ambiguous stimuli as well as task instructions to examine the neural basis for both stimulus-driven and task-driven perceptual ambiguity. We identified a neural signature, the late positive potential (LPP), that encoded a general form of stimulus-driven perceptual ambiguity. In addition to stimulus-driven ambiguity, the LPP was also modulated by ambiguity in task instructions. To further specify the functional role of the LPP and elucidate the relationship between stimulus ambiguity, behavioral response, and the LPP, we employed regression models and found that the LPP was specifically associated with response latency and confidence rating, suggesting that the LPP encoded decisions under perceptual ambiguity. Finally, direct behavioral ratings of stimulus and task ambiguity confirmed our neurophysiological findings, which could not be attributed to differences in eye movements either. Together, our findings argue for a common neural signature that encodes decisions under perceptual ambiguity but is subject to the modulation of task ambiguity. Our results represent an essential first step toward a complete neural understanding of human perceptual decision making. Society for Neuroscience 2017-11-21 /pmc/articles/PMC5701297/ /pubmed/29177189 http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0235-17.2017 Text en Copyright © 2017 Sun et al. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) , which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided that the original work is properly attributed.
spellingShingle New Research
Sun, Sai
Yu, Rongjun
Wang, Shuo
A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity
title A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity
title_full A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity
title_fullStr A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity
title_full_unstemmed A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity
title_short A Neural Signature Encoding Decisions under Perceptual Ambiguity
title_sort neural signature encoding decisions under perceptual ambiguity
topic New Research
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5701297/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29177189
http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0235-17.2017
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