Recordings from hidden brain region reveal clues to how we handle uncertainty
The claustrum is a thin sheet of neurons buried deep within the cerebral cortex. The structure is so small and hidden that neuroscientists once found it very difficult to access, let alone investigate. Now, researchers at Yale School of Medicine have not only found a way to peer into this enigmatic structure but have also discovered its surprising role in how humans learn and adapt to uncertainty.
The claustrum, a tiny and previously mysterious region of the brain, has been found to play a significant role in how humans handle uncertainty, according to new research from Yale School of Medicine. A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that the claustrum, previously difficult to access due to its hidden location, exhibits neural activity patterns that align with higher-order cognitive functions.
Researchers recorded the activity of claustrum neurons in seven epilepsy patients undergoing brain surgery, using tiny electrodes that could target individual neurons. The patients played a computer game where they navigated a spaceship through unpredictable asteroid hazards, a task that required learning and adapting to uncertainty.
The study found that claustrum neurons exhibited mixed responses to high-uncertainty events, firing when asteroids approached and the spaceship was at risk of crashing. However, these same neurons returned to baseline before the outcome was known, suggesting that the claustrum might be acting more like sensory neurons than higher-level cognitive processors.
In contrast, other brain regions involved in higher-order functions, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, showed more balanced activity during both successful avoidance and crashes. The findings suggest that the claustrum may play a crucial role in tracking uncertainty and prediction errors during learning and adaptation, supporting its involvement in various neuropsychiatric disorders.
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