Temporal-sensitive prefrontal involvement in associating confidence with task performance illustrates metacognitive introspection in Old World monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

AbstractMetacognition refers to the ability to be aware of one’s own cognition. Ample evidence indicate that metacognition in the human primate is highly dissociable from cognition, specialized across domains, and subserved by distinct neural substrates. However, these aspects remain relatively understudied in the macaque monkeys. Here we investigated the functionality of macaques’ metacognition by combining a confidence proxy, hierarchical Bayesian meta-d’ computational modelling, and single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation technique. We found a critical role of Brodmann Area 46d (BA 46d) in supporting metacognition without implicating task performance and its critical time-sensitive role in meta-calculation. We additionally revealed that macaque metacognition is highly domain-specific with respect to memory and perception decisions. These findings carry implications for our understanding of metacognitive introspection within the primate lineage.

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Time-sensitive Prefrontal Involvement in Associating Confidence With Task Performance Illustrates Metacognitive Introspection in Monkeys

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1215479/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Yudian Cai ◽

Zhiyong Jin ◽

Chenxi Zhai ◽

Huiming Wang ◽

Jijun Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Critical Role ◽

Computational Modelling ◽

Single Pulse ◽

Neural Substrates ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Stimulation Technique ◽

Human Primate

Abstract Metacognition refers to the ability to be aware of one’s own cognition. Ample evidence indicates that metacognition in the human primate is highly dissociable from cognition, specialized across domains, and subserved by distinct neural substrates. However, these aspects remain relatively understudied in macaque monkeys. In the present study, we investigated the functionality of macaque metacognition by combining a confidence proxy, hierarchical Bayesian meta-d′ computational modelling, and a single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation technique. We found that Brodmann area 46d (BA46d) played a critical role in supporting metacognition independent of task performance; we also found that the critical role in of this region in meta-calculation was time-sensitive. Additionally, we report that macaque metacognition is highly domain-specific with respect to memory and perception decisions. These findings carry implications for our understanding of metacognitive introspection within the primate lineage.

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Causal evidence for a domain-specific role of left superior frontal sulcus in human perceptual decision-making

10.1101/2021.10.04.462977 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Miguel Barretto Garcia ◽

Marcus Grueschow ◽

Marius Moisa ◽

Rafael Polania ◽

Christian Carl Ruff

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Sequential Sampling ◽

Computational Modelling ◽

Perceptual Decision Making ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Neural Processes ◽

Sequential Sampling Model ◽

Evidence Integration ◽

Superior Frontal Sulcus

Humans and animals can flexibly choose their actions based on different information, ranging from objective states of the environment (e.g., apples are bigger than cherries) to subjective preferences (e.g., cherries are tastier than apples). Whether the brain instantiates these different choices by recruiting either specialized or shared neural circuitry remains debated. Specifically, domain-general theories of prefrontal cortex (PFC) function propose that prefrontal areas flexibly process either perceptual or value-based evidence depending on what is required for the present choice, whereas domain-specific theories posit that PFC sub- areas, such as the left superior frontal sulcus (SFS), selectively integrate evidence relevant for perceptual decisions. Here we comprehensively test the functional role of the left SFS for choices based on perceptual and value-based evidence, by combining fMRI with a behavioural paradigm, computational modelling, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Confirming predictions by a sequential sampling model, we show that TMS-induced excitability reduction of the left SFS selectively changes the processing of decision-relevant perceptual information and associated neural processes. In contrast, value-based decision making and associated neural processes remain unaffected. This specificity of SFS function is evident at all levels of analysis (behavioural, computational, and neural, including functional connectivity), demonstrating that the left SFS causally contributes to evidence integration for perceptual but not value-based decisions.

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Domain-Specific Response of Imprinted Genes to Reduced DNMT1

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.01278-09 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 30 (16) ◽

pp. 3916-3928 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Jamie R. Weaver ◽

Garnik Sarkisian ◽

Christopher Krapp ◽

Jesse Mager ◽

Mellissa R. W. Mann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Dna Methyltransferase ◽

Critical Role ◽

Imprinted Genes ◽

Specific Response ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Partial Loss ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Parent Of Origin

ABSTRACT Imprinted genes are expressed in a monoallelic, parent-of-origin-specific manner. Clusters of imprinted genes are regulated by imprinting control regions (ICRs) characterized by DNA methylation of one allele. This methylation is critical for imprinting; a reduction in the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 causes a widespread loss of imprinting. To better understand the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of imprinting, we characterized the effects of Dnmt1 mutations on the expression of a panel of imprinted genes in the embryo and placenta. We found striking differences among imprinted domains. The Igf2 and Peg3 domains showed imprinting perturbations with both null and partial loss-of-function mutations, and both domains had pairs of coordinately regulated genes with opposite responses to loss of DNMT1 function, suggesting these domains employ similar regulatory mechanisms. Genes in the Kcnq1 domain were less sensitive to the absence of DNMT1. Cdkn1c exhibited imprinting perturbations only in null mutants, while Kcnq1 and Ascl2 were largely unaffected by a loss of DNMT1 function. These results emphasize the critical role for DNA methylation in imprinting and reveal the different ways it controls gene expression.

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The Role of the SLP in Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Assessment

Perspectives on Language Learning and Education ◽

10.1044/lle15.2.50 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 50-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amy Philofsky

Keyword(s):

Language Development ◽

Critical Role ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Notable Increase ◽

Screening Assessment ◽

Critical Components

AbstractRecent prevalence estimates for autism have been alarming as a function of the notable increase. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in screening, assessment and intervention for children with autism. This article reviews signs that may be indicative of autism at different stages of language development, and discusses the importance of several psychometric properties—sensitivity and specificity—in utilizing screening measures for children with autism. Critical components of assessment for children with autism are reviewed. This article concludes with examples of intervention targets for children with ASD at various levels of language development.

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A critical role of iNOS-derived Nitric Oxide (NO) and progesterone in implantation

Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation ◽

10.1016/s1071-5576(97)86388-5 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 115A-115A

Author(s):

K CHWALISZ ◽

E WINTERHAGER ◽

T THIENEL ◽

R GARFIELD

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Critical Role

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Response Interference as a Mechanism Underlying Implicit Measures

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.24.4.218 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 218-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Bertram Gawronski ◽

Roland Deutsch ◽

Etienne P. LeBel ◽

Kurt R. Peters

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Psychological Research ◽

Implicit Measures ◽

Mediation Model ◽

Response Interference ◽

Relevant Evidence ◽

Moderated Mediation Model ◽

Stimulus Features ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Over the last decade, implicit measures of mental associations (e.g., Implicit Association Test, sequential priming) have become increasingly popular in many areas of psychological research. Even though successful applications provide preliminary support for the validity of these measures, their underlying mechanisms are still controversial. The present article addresses the role of a particular mechanism that is hypothesized to mediate the influence of activated associations on task performance in many implicit measures: response interference (RI). Based on a review of relevant evidence, we argue that RI effects in implicit measures depend on participants attention to association-relevant stimulus features, which in turn can influence the reliability and the construct validity of these measures. Drawing on a moderated-mediation model (MMM) of task performance in RI paradigms, we provide several suggestions on how to address these problems in research using implicit measures.

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