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A neural network for information seeking

Author

Listed:
  • J. Kael White

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Ethan S. Bromberg-Martin

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Sarah R. Heilbronner

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Kaining Zhang

    (Washington University)

  • Julia Pai

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    New York University)

  • Suzanne N. Haber

    (University of Rochester)

  • Ilya E. Monosov

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University)

Abstract

Humans and other animals often show a strong desire to know the uncertain rewards their future has in store, even when they cannot use this information to influence the outcome. However, it is unknown how the brain predicts opportunities to gain information and motivates this information-seeking behavior. Here we show that neurons in a network of interconnected subregions of primate anterior cingulate cortex and basal ganglia predict the moment of gaining information about uncertain rewards. Spontaneous increases in their information prediction signals are followed by gaze shifts toward objects associated with resolving uncertainty, and pharmacologically disrupting this network reduces the motivation to seek information. These findings demonstrate a cortico-basal ganglia mechanism responsible for motivating actions to resolve uncertainty by seeking knowledge about the future.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Kael White & Ethan S. Bromberg-Martin & Sarah R. Heilbronner & Kaining Zhang & Julia Pai & Suzanne N. Haber & Ilya E. Monosov, 2019. "A neural network for information seeking," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13135-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13135-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Yvonne Li & Nabil Daddaoua & Mattias Horan & Nicholas C. Foley & Jacqueline Gottlieb, 2022. "Uncertainty modulates visual maps during noninstrumental information demand," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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