Organisms frequently select activities, which relate to economic, social and perceptual decision-making problems. The choices made may have substantial impact on their lives. In foraging decisions, for example, animals aim at reaching a target intake of nutrients; it is generally believed that a balanced diet improves reproductive success, yet little is known about the underlying mechanisms that integrate nutritional needs within the brain.
Schematic of neural circuit regulating feeding behaviour. Neural unit $y$ represents inhibiting interneurons and units $x_i \, (i=1,2)$ denote evidence-integrating accumulators.
In our study, we addressed this coupling between physiological states and a decision-making circuit in the context of foraging decisions. We considered a model animal that has the drive to eat or drink. The motivation to select and perform one of these activities (i.e. eating or drinking), is processed in artificial neuronal units that have access to information on how hungry and thirsty the animal is at the point it makes the decision. We showed that inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms in the neural circuit shape ongoing binary decisions, and we revealed under which conditions oscillating motivations may improve the overall performance of the animal. Our results indicate that inefficient decision making may originate from suboptimal modulation of excitation and inhibition in the neurobiological network.
Representative publication:
