The article tackles the question of whether decisions are made consciously or by subconscious brain processes that precede our awareness, challenging the conventional understanding of free will. It highlights a major scientific effort to understand the neural basis of decision-making.
A Groundbreaking Brain Map
Researchers at the International Brain Laboratory (IBL) created the most extensive map of a mammal’s brain to date by studying 139 mice. They successfully mapped the activity of over 600,000 individual neurons across 279 brain regions, covering 95% of the organ. This comprehensive approach provides an unprecedented, near-complete view of brain activity during a complex task.
The Cascade of Decision-Making
When a mouse was faced with a choice, a cascade of neural processes was observed. Activity began in the visual cortex, then spread to areas like the prefrontal cortex for abstract processing, where information was likely compared with memories. Signals were then sent to motor areas to execute the action. The study revealed that decision-related signals were far more widespread throughout the brain than previously thought.
Key Conclusion: A Highly Integrated Network
The main finding is that the brain functions as a deeply integrated network rather than a collection of specialized, isolated parts. Neural responses related to actions and rewards were observed almost everywhere in the brain. This indicates that different brain regions are in constant, extensive communication, and decision-making is a complex, brain-wide process, not a localized event.
Mentoring question
The article suggests that decisions are complex, brain-wide processes that may begin before our conscious awareness. How does this finding change your perspective on your own ‘snap judgments’ or intuitive decisions?
Leave a Reply