Biology subjects

Buggeln, J. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Buggeln, J. H..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Deliberation is a controllable process governed by desirability and cognitive effort

Humans spend a lifetime making decisions based on incoming sensory information and goals. Prominent theories of perceptual decision-making have described the components of deliber-ation process, yet they lack a unifying principle that governs how the nervous system tunes the deliberation process across multiple contexts. Desirability (reward) and effort (energy) are major determinants in governing a broad range of human and animal behaviour, such as for-aging, walking, and decisions. Here we develop a theory where desirability and cognitive effort tune the control gains that govern deliberation. Several hallmark features of decision behaviour simply emerge from the model, with the deliberation process closely resembling low-dimensional neural dynamics. We also predict and provide a novel mechanistic explanation for choking-under-pressure, where extremely large rewards lead to performance deficits. Our principled framework explains both behavioural and neural phenomena while providing a path to unify disparate fields.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Involuntary feedback responses reflect a representation of partner actions

We have a remarkable ability to seamlessly and rapidly coordinate actions with others, from double dutch to dancing. Humans use high-level partner representations to jointly control voluntary actions, while other work shows lower-level involuntary feedback responses to sudden visual perturbations. Yet, it is unknown if a high-level partner representation can be rapidly expressed through lower-level involuntary sensorimotor circuitry. Here we test the idea that a partner representation influences involuntary visuomotor feedback responses during a cooperative sensorimotor task. Using two experiments and dynamic game theory predictions, we show that involuntary visuomotor feedback responses reflect a partner representation and consideration of a partners movement cost (i.e., accuracy and energy). Collectively, our results suggest there is top-down modulation from high-level partner representations to lower-level sensorimotor circuits, enabling fast and flexible feedback responses during jointly coordinated actions. Significance StatementHumans have an adept ability to rapidly coordinate their movements with others. Yet it is unknown how fast the sensorimotor system can use a representation of others to jointly control movement. Remarkably, intelligent reflexes (i.e., involuntary visuomotor feedback responses) consider high-level partner representations within 180 - 230 ms. Further, these involuntary visuomotor feedback responses show that the sensorimotor system is willing sacrifice energy to help a partner.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Online movements reflect ongoing deliberation

From navigating a crowded hallway to skiing down a treacherous hill, humans are constantly making decisions while moving. Insightful past work has provided a glimpse of decision deliberation at the moment of movement onset. Yet it is unknown whether ongoing deliberation can be expressed during movement, following movement onset and prior to any decision. Here we tested the idea that an ongoing deliberation continually influences motor processes--prior to a decision--directing online movements. Over three experiments, we manipulated evidence to influence deliberation during movement. The deliberation process was manipulated by having participants observe evidence in the form of tokens that moved into a left or right target. Supporting our hypothesis we found that lateral hand movements reflected deliberation, prior to a decision. We also found that a deliberation urgency signal, which more heavily weighs later evidence, was fundamental to predicting decisions and explains past movement behaviour in a new light. Our paradigm promotes the expression of ongoing deliberation through movement, providing a powerful new window into understanding the interplay between decision and action.

neuroscience↗