Predicting free choices for abstract intentions.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany.

Published: April 2013

Unconscious neural activity has been repeatedly shown to precede and potentially even influence subsequent free decisions. However, to date, such findings have been mostly restricted to simple motor choices, and despite considerable debate, there is no evidence that the outcome of more complex free decisions can be predicted from prior brain signals. Here, we show that the outcome of a free decision to either add or subtract numbers can already be decoded from neural activity in medial prefrontal and parietal cortex 4 s before the participant reports they are consciously making their choice. These choice-predictive signals co-occurred with the so-called default mode brain activity pattern that was still dominant at the time when the choice-predictive signals occurred. Our results suggest that unconscious preparation of free choices is not restricted to motor preparation. Instead, decisions at multiple scales of abstraction evolve from the dynamics of preceding brain activity.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3625266PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1212218110DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

free choices
8
neural activity
8
free decisions
8
choice-predictive signals
8
brain activity
8
predicting free
4
choices abstract
4
abstract intentions
4
intentions unconscious
4
unconscious neural
4

Similar Publications

Development of translationally active cell lysates from different filamentous fungi for application in cell-free protein synthesis.

Enzyme Microb Technol

January 2025

Institute of Biotechnology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, Senftenberg 01968, Germany. Electronic address:

There is an enormous potential for cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems based on filamentous fungi in view of their simple, fast and mostly inexpensive cultivation with high biomass space-time yields and in view of their catalytic capacity. In 12 of the 22 different filamentous fungi examined, in vitro translation of at least one of the two reporter proteins GFP and firefly luciferase was detected. The lysates showing translation of a reporter protein usually were able to synthesize a functional cell-free expressed unspecific peroxygenase (UPO) from the basidiomycete Cyclocybe (Agrocybe) aegerita.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Surgical clip migration is a rare complication that can happen many years following a successful cholecystectomy. It has a similar clinical presentation as choledocholithiasis. The diagnosis is usually made using imaging modalities such as ultrasounds, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Achieving high vaccine coverage among clinicians is crucial to curb the spread of influenza. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), rooted in cultural symbols and concepts without direct parallels in modern Western medicine, may influence perspectives on vaccination. Therefore, understanding the preferences of TCM clinicians towards influenza vaccines is of great importance.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Praesto Jetted A50 HipH, a mild pH elution Protein A resin, exhibits improved aggregate separation capability and protein elution from it shows unique response to mobile phase additive sodium chloride.

Protein Expr Purif

January 2025

Downstream Process Development (DSPD), WuXi Biologics, 31 Yiwei Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China. Electronic address:

Protein A affinity chromatography has been widely used for product capture in monoclonal antibody (mAb), bispecific antibody (bsAb) and Fc-fusion protein purification. However, the low pH (i.e.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Aims: Chemotherapy is one of the treatments of choice for patients with hematological or head and neck neoplasms. However, chemotherapy promotes elevate occurrence of adverse events and many of them directly impact nutritional status and patients' quality of life, which may include a low treatment tolerance. Suggested mechanisms include inflammation and oxidative stress as contributing factors to adverse effects of chemotherapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!