Neuronal activity in the human subthalamic nucleus encodes decision conflict during action selection

Kareem A. Zaghloul, Christoph T. Weidemann, Bradley C. Lega, Jurg L. Jaggi, Gordon H. Baltuch, Michael J. Kahana

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

84 Scopus citations

Abstract

The subthalamic nucleus (STN), which receives excitatory inputs from the cortex and has direct connections with the inhibitory pathways of the basal ganglia, is well positioned to efficiently mediate action selection. Here, we use microelectrode recordings captured during deep brain stimulation surgery as participants engage in a decision task to examine the role of the human STN in action selection. We demonstrate that spiking activity in the STN increases when participants engage in a decision and that the level of spiking activity increases with the degree of decision conflict. These data implicate the STN as an important mediator of action selection during decision processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2453-2460
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume32
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Neuronal activity in the human subthalamic nucleus encodes decision conflict during action selection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this