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Functional localization and categorization of intentional decisions in humans: A meta-analysis of brain imaging studies.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Si, Ruoguang 
Rowe, James B 
Zhang, Jiaxiang 

Abstract

Brain-imaging research on intentional decision-making often employs a "free-choice" paradigm, in which participants choose among options with identical values or outcomes. Although the medial prefrontal cortex has commonly been associated with choices, there is no consensus on the wider network that underlies diverse intentional decisions and behaviours. Our systematic literature search identified 35 fMRI/PET experiments using various free-choice paradigms, with appropriate control conditions using external instructions. An Activation Likelihood Estimate (ALE) meta-analysis showed that, compared with external instructions, intentional decisions consistently activate the medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the left insula and the inferior parietal lobule. We then categorized the studies into four different types according to their experimental designs: reactive motor intention, perceptual intention, inhibitory intention, and cognitive intention. We conducted conjunction and contrast meta-analyses to identify consistent and selective spatial convergence of brain activation within each specific category of intentional decision. Finally, we used meta-analytic decoding to probe cognitive processes underlying free choices. Our findings suggest that the neurocognitive process underlying intentional decision incorporates anatomically separated components subserving distinct cognitive and computational roles.

Description

Keywords

ALE, Free choice, Intentional decision, Meta-analysis, PET, fMRI, Brain, Brain Mapping, Decision Making, Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, Executive Function, Humans, Likelihood Functions, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Neuroimaging, Parietal Lobe, Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography

Journal Title

Neuroimage

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1053-8119
1095-9572

Volume Title

242

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
MRC (unknown)
Medical Research Council (MR/M009041/1)
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