The Neural Basis of Predictive Pursuit

It remains unclear whether and, if so, how non-human animals make on-the-fly predictions during pursuit. Here, we used a novel laboratory pursuit task that incentivizes prediction of future prey positions. We trained three macaques to perform a joystick-controlled pursuit task in which prey follow intelligent escape algorithms. Subjects aimed towards the prey’s likely future positions, indicating that they generate internal predictions and use them to guide behavior. We then developed a generative model that explains real-time pursuit trajectories and showed that our subjects use prey position, velocity, and acceleration to make predictions. We identified neurons in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) whose responses track these three variables. These neurons multiplexed prediction-related variables with a distinct and explicit representation of the prey’s future position. Our results provide a clear demonstration that the brain can explicitly represent future predictions and highlight the critical role of anterior cingulate cortex for future-oriented cognition.