Neurobiologists from Harvard Medical School tended to conduct a large-scale study, revealing complex brain functioning processes, which underlie the formation of our choices.
Using virtual labyrinths, scientists observed the behavior of mice at the time of the decision and revealed a subtle balance of activation and inhibition of various nerve circuits, which ultimately determine the result.
The head of the study stood neurobiologists Wei-Chong Allen Lee, Christopher Harvey, and Stefano Pantrari. Their work united the structural, functional, and behavioral analysis of the brain, which made it possible to first examine in detail the neural mechanisms of decision-making. Scientists paid special attention to the posterior parietal cortex, which plays a key role in navigation and cognitive processes.
Watching mice in virtual labyrinths, the researchers discovered a curious pattern: as soon as the mouse made a decision to turn right or left, certain nerve cells were activated, illuminating the further path, and neurons associated with alternative options were fading, blocking the unremarkable options.
This mechanism indicates that our choice is formed thanks to specific nervous connections that enhance the desired signal and suppress the rest. This discovery helps to better understand how the brain stabilizes and strengthens the decision already made, not allowing us to be tormented by doubts for too long and think “what if”.
Despite the colossal differences between the human and mouse brain, the fundamental mechanisms of choice turned out to be surprisingly similar. Studying the behavior of rodents can shed light on the features of human thinking. After all, decision-making processes – from the most primitive to fateful – are largely universal for reasonable creatures.
The results of the study have far-reaching consequences for various fields of science – from neurobiology to psychology. They will help to deepen the study of the relationship between decision-making and other cognitive functions, such as memory or anxiety.
For example, referring to other studies about the connection of the bursts of the beta-active brain with anxiety, the authors emphasize the complexity of neural choice of choice. Anxiety is one of the most important human emotions, and its echoes are found in the neural chains of mice. Such parallels between humans and animals make it possible to study the brain more deeply and look for new methods of correction of anxiety disorders.
Thus, the work of scientists from Harvard not only reveals fascinating details about our brain but also has a serious potential for practical use in medicine, psychology, and related areas.