Cited by 755Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesVisual perception and processing mechanismsNeural dynamics and brain function

A supramodal accumulation-to-bound signal that determines perceptual decisions in humans

O'Connell, Redmond G, Dockree, Paul M, Kelly, Simon P·2012·Nature Neuroscience

Abstract

In theoretical accounts of perceptual decision-making, a decision variable integrates noisy sensory evidence and determines action through a boundary-crossing criterion. Signals bearing these very properties have been characterized in single neurons in monkeys, but have yet to be directly identified in humans. Using a gradual target detection task, we isolated a freely evolving decision variable signal in human subjects that exhibited every aspect of the dynamics observed in its single-neuron counterparts. This signal could be continuously tracked in parallel with fully dissociable sensory encoding and motor preparation signals, and could be systematically perturbed mid-flight during decision formation. Furthermore, we found that the signal was completely domain general: it exhibited the same decision-predictive dynamics regardless of sensory modality and stimulus features and tracked cumulative evidence even in the absence of overt action. These findings provide a uniquely clear view on the neural determinants of simple perceptual decisions in humans.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nn.3248

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Authors
O'Connell, R. G., Dockree, P. M., & Kelly, S. P.
Affiliations
  • Trinity College Dublin (IE)
  • City College of New York (US)
Corresponding author
Kelly, Simon P
Venue
Nature Neuroscience
Published
2012-10-28
Volume
15
Issue
12
Pages
1729-1735
ISSN
  • 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-1726
OpenAlex
W2048524988
Cited by
755
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 53 · 2025: 67 · 2024: 62 · 2023: 67 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 51 · 2020: 75 · 2019: 61 · 2018: 57 · 2017: 56 · 2016: 52 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 15
FWCI
15.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
Keywords
perceptual decision making, decision variables, motor preparation, single neuron model
MeSH terms
Acoustic Stimulation, Adolescent, Auditory Perception, Decision Making, Female, Humans, Male, Motion Perception, Photic Stimulation, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Signal Transduction, Young Adult

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