Neurons in human pre-supplementary motor area encode key computations for value-based choice

Abstract

Adaptive behavior in real-world environments demands that choices integrate over several variables, including the novelty of the options under consideration, their expected value, and uncertainty in value estimation. We recorded neurons from the human pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate to probe how integration over decision variables occurs during decision-making. In contrast to the other areas, preSMA neurons not only represented separate pre-decision variables for each choice option, but also encoded an integrated utility signal and, subsequently, the decision itself. Conversely, post-decision related encoding of variables for the chosen option was more widely distributed and especially prominent in vmPFC. Our findings position the human preSMA as central to the implementation of value-based decisions.

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