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Anxious individuals shift emotion control from lateral frontal pole to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Why anxious individuals fail to control emotional behaviour is not well understood. Here, the authors show that highly anxious individuals have a more excitable lateral frontopolar cortex, and fail to recruit this region during emotional action control.
- Bob Bramson
- , Sjoerd Meijer
- & Karin Roelofs
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Article
| Open Access
Neural signatures of social inferences predict the number of real-life social contacts and autism severity
How our ability to infer the cognitive and emotional states of other people manifests in both neural activity and real-world social behavior is not fully understood. Here, the authors show neural activation patterns in the right posterior superior temporal sulcus during a social inference task predict the number of social contacts in both neurotypical and autism groups.
- Anita Tusche
- , Robert P. Spunt
- & Ralph Adolphs
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Article
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Re-expression of CA1 and entorhinal activity patterns preserves temporal context memory at long timescales
How hippocampal area CA1 and the entorhinal cortex preserve temporal memories over long timescales is not known. Here, the authors show using 7T fMRI, that temporal context memory for scene images is predicted by the re-expression of CA1 and entorhinal cortex activity patterns during subsequent encounters over a period of months.
- Futing Zou
- , Guo Wanjia
- & Sarah DuBrow
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Article
| Open Access
Trait anxiety is associated with hidden state inference during aversive reversal learning
Here, the authors show that anxiety-related alterations of aversive learning can be understood in terms of a computational model in which anxious humans mentally represent more hidden states as causes of different levels of threats.
- Ondrej Zika
- , Katja Wiech
- & Nicolas W. Schuck
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Predictive neural representations of naturalistic dynamic input
The neural processes underlying the prediction of unfolding external dynamics are not well understood. Here, the authors combine magnetoencephalography and naturalistic dynamic stimuli and show predictive neural representations of observed actions which are hierarchical in nature.
- Ingmar E. J. de Vries
- & Moritz F. Wurm
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Article
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Parieto-occipital ERP indicators of gut mechanosensation in humans
Understanding the neural processes governing the human gut-brain connection has been challenging. Here, the authors investigate the perceptual response and neural correlates of gastrointestinal sensation using a minimally invasive mechanosensory probe.
- Ahmad Mayeli
- , Obada Al Zoubi
- & Sahib S. Khalsa
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Article
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Language network lateralization is reflected throughout the macroscale functional organization of cortex
Hemispheric specialization is a fundamental aspect of human brain organization. Here, the authors demonstrate that language lateralization is heritable and evident throughout the broad functional architecture of cortex.
- Loïc Labache
- , Tian Ge
- & Avram J. Holmes
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A shared neural code for the physics of actions and object events
The authors examine how the brain processes actions performed by humans and events involving objects. Their findings suggest that a common neural code is used in the brain’s action observation network to represent event information, regardless of animacy.
- Seda Karakose-Akbiyik
- , Alfonso Caramazza
- & Moritz F. Wurm
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Article
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Inefficient prioritization of task-relevant attributes during instrumental information demand
People actively seek information but can be inefficient in identifying informative observations. The authors show that these inefficiencies covary with personality traits and persist under instrumental incentives and despite minimal memory load.
- Isabella Rischall
- , Laura Hunter
- & Jacqueline Gottlieb
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Article
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Task state representations in vmPFC mediate relevant and irrelevant value signals and their behavioral influence
The ventromedial prefrontal-cortex (vmPFC) encodes expected value signals that contribute to choices. Here the authors show that during decision-making the human ventromedial prefrontal cortex contains a task-context representation that arbitrates between simultaneously active representations of expected values in the current versus other task contexts.
- Nir Moneta
- , Mona M. Garvert
- & Nicolas W. Schuck
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Trust within human-machine collectives depends on the perceived consensus about cooperative norms
Humans and machines are increasingly participating in mixed collectives in which they can help or hinder each other. Here the authors show the way in which people treat machines differently than humans in a stylized society of beneficiaries, helpers, punishers, and trustors.
- Kinga Makovi
- , Anahit Sargsyan
- & Talal Rahwan
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Article
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The contributions of mitochondrial and nuclear mitochondrial genetic variation to neuroticism
Genetic variation in mitochondrial DNA can influence human traits, but it is not as well studied in association with complex traits. Here, the authors find associations between mitochondrial haplogroups and genetic variation and neuroticism.
- Charley Xia
- , Sarah J. Pickett
- & W. David Hill
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Article
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Computational models of episodic-like memory in food-caching birds
How the ‘what’, ‘where’, and ‘when’ of past experiences are stored in episodic memories and retrieved for suitable decisions remains unclear. In an effort to address these questions, the authors present computational models of neural networks that behave like food caching birds in episodic memory tasks.
- Johanni Brea
- , Nicola S. Clayton
- & Wulfram Gerstner
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Article
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Goal-oriented representations in the human hippocampus during planning and navigation
Several lines of evidence suggest the hippocampus plays a key role in navigation. Here, the authors show that during navigation hippocampal patterns represent context-specific, goal-oriented information.
- Jordan Crivelli-Decker
- , Alex Clarke
- & Charan Ranganath
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Functional specialization and interaction in the amygdala-hippocampus circuit during working memory processing
The function of the hippocampus and the amygdala in working memory are still not well understood. Here, the authors identified a functional specialization within the amygdala-hippocampal circuit and stage-dependent information flow during working memory.
- Jin Li
- , Dan Cao
- & Tianzi Jiang
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A rapid theta network mechanism for flexible information encoding
Filtering or gating relevant information into working memory has been attributed to the striatum. Here, the authors reveal neocortical filtering mechanisms, namely, rapid changes in oscillatory theta networks, that predict fast and flexible human behavior.
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- , Jack J. Lin
- & David Badre
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State-level macro-economic factors moderate the association of low income with brain structure and mental health in U.S. children
Lower income is associated with smaller hippocampal volume and mental health problems. Here, the authors show that this association is weaker in areas of the United States that are less expensive or that have a stronger social safety net.
- David G. Weissman
- , Mark L. Hatzenbuehler
- & Katie A. McLaughlin
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Single-neuron mechanisms of neural adaptation in the human temporal lobe
Behavioural adaptation from semantic priming is accompanied by reduced neural activity in bulk-tissue measurements, but the underlying single neuron mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the authors leverage simultaneous intracranial EEG and single neuron spiking recordings in the human medial temporal lobe to unveil differential sharpening and fatiguing mechanisms across different temporal lobe areas.
- Thomas P. Reber
- , Sina Mackay
- & Florian Mormann
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Cross-stage neural pattern similarity in the hippocampus predicts false memory derived from post-event inaccurate information
The neural processes underlying the misinformation effect, where post-event information can alter memory, are not well understood. Here, the authors show that during the memory test phase, misinformation competes with original information in the hippocampus to produce false memory.
- Xuhao Shao
- , Ao Li
- & Bi Zhu
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Article
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Calibration of cognitive tests to address the reliability paradox for decision-conflict tasks
Typical cognitive tasks can produce robust experimental effects yet not measure individual differences reliably. Here the authors use hierarchical Bayesian analysis to develop and calibrate tasks that can efficiently achieve good reliability.
- Talira Kucina
- , Lindsay Wells
- & Andrew Heathcote
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Visual resemblance and interaction history jointly constrain pictorial meaning
Drawings can vary in abstraction while still being meaningful. Here, the authors leverage a two-player drawing game to evaluate a cognitive account of pictorial meaning in which both visual and social information jointly support visual communication.
- Robert D. Hawkins
- , Megumi Sano
- & Judith E. Fan
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Unselfish traits and social decision-making patterns characterize six populations of real-world extraordinary altruists
Here, the authors show that real-world extraordinary altruists, including heroic rescuers and altruistic kidney donors, are distinguished by unusually unselfish traits and decision-making patterns. This pattern was not predicted by a general sample of adults who were asked what traits would characterize altruists.
- Shawn A. Rhoads
- , Kruti M. Vekaria
- & Abigail A. Marsh
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White matter disconnection of left multiple demand network is associated with post-lesion deficits in cognitive control
The anatomy of white matter tracts which coordinate the computations of cognitive control are not well understood. Here, the authors show that lesions in white matter connecting left frontoparietal regions are associated with deficits in cognitive control performance.
- Jiefeng Jiang
- , Joel Bruss
- & Aaron D. Boes
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Subjective signal strength distinguishes reality from imagination
How humans distinguish perception from mental imagery is not well understood. Here, the authors show that reality judgements are based on the intensity of a mixture of imagined and real signals.
- Nadine Dijkstra
- & Stephen M. Fleming
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Comparing retinotopic maps of children and adults reveals a late-stage change in how V1 samples the visual field
Many properties of human primary visual cortex (V1) are ‘adult-like’ by childhood. Here, using fMRI, the authors show that V1 of children and adults differentially sample the visual field, indicating a late-stage change in cortical organization.
- Marc M. Himmelberg
- , Ekin Tünçok
- & Jonathan Winawer
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Neuro-computational mechanisms and individual biases in action-outcome learning under moral conflict
How we juggle morally conflicting outcomes during learning remains unknown. Here, by comparing variants of reinforcement learning models, the authors show that participants differ substantially in their preference, with some choosing actions that benefit themselves while others choose actions that prevent harm.
- Laura Fornari
- , Kalliopi Ioumpa
- & Valeria Gazzola
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Inferring visual space from ultra-fine extra-retinal knowledge of gaze position
It is unknown how humans establish stable visual percepts despite the incessant motion of their eyes. Here the authors report that visual judgments of spatial relations incorporate fine-scale motor knowledge of eye position.
- Zhetuo Zhao
- , Ehud Ahissar
- & Michele Rucci
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Article
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The Stroop effect involves an excitatory–inhibitory fronto-cerebellar loop
It remains unclear how the Stroop effect occurs and gets resolved in the human brain. Here, the authors show that a functional loop involving the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum may play a critical role during word-color perception.
- Moe Okayasu
- , Tensei Inukai
- & Koji Jimura
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Providing normative information increases intentions to accept a COVID-19 vaccine
The authors show that accurate information about descriptive norms can increase intentions to accept a vaccine for COVID-19. They show that these effects are largely consistent in the 23 included countries and are concentrated among people who were otherwise uncertain about accepting a vaccine.
- Alex Moehring
- , Avinash Collis
- & Dean Eckles
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Efficient neural codes naturally emerge through gradient descent learning
In animals, sensory systems appear optimized for the statistics of the external world. Here the authors take an artificial psychophysics approach, analysing sensory responses in artificial neural networks, and show why these demonstrate the same phenomenon as natural sensory systems.
- Ari S. Benjamin
- , Ling-Qi Zhang
- & Konrad P. Kording
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Comment
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Creative arts and digitial interventions as potential tools in prevention and recovery from the mental health consequences of adverse childhood experiences
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can harm mental health across the lifespan and reduce life expectancy. We provide a commentary of evidence on the health impacts, and how creative arts and digital interventions may support prevention and recovery.
- Kamaldeep Bhui
- , Sania Shakoor
- & Michaela Otis
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Using performance art to promote intergroup prosociality by cultivating the belief that empathy is unlimited
People tend to feel less empathy toward people who do not belong to their social group (outgroup members). Here, the authors show that leading people to believe that empathy is unlimited increases empathy, support for prosocial actions, and empathic behaviors toward outgroup members.
- Yossi Hasson
- , Einat Amir
- & Eran Halperin
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Reported sleep duration reveals segmentation of the adult life-course into three phases
Sleep varies within and between individuals. Here, using self-reported sleep duration from a large sample of participants across 63 countries, the authors show three phases in the adult human life-course, consistent across culture, gender, education and other demographics.
- A. Coutrot
- , A. S. Lazar
- & H. J. Spiers
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Comment
| Open AccessA call for immediate action to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake to prepare for the third pandemic winter
This Comment piece summarises current challenges regarding routine vaccine uptake in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and provides recommendations on how to increase uptake. To implement these recommendations, the article points to evidence-based resources that can support health-care workers, policy makers and communicators.
- Cornelia Betsch
- , Philipp Schmid
- & Amanda Garrison
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Article
| Open Access
The gut microbiota and depressive symptoms across ethnic groups
Here, by studying a multi-ethnic cross-sectional urban cohort (N = 3211, 6 ethnic groups), the authors show that depressive symptom levels are related to the gut microbiota taxonomic characteristics but that these are largely invariant across ethnic groups.
- Jos A. Bosch
- , Max Nieuwdorp
- & Anja Lok
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Article
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Visual motion perception as online hierarchical inference
How the human visual system leverages the rich structure in object motion for perception remains unclear. Here, Bill et al. propose a theory of how the brain could infer motion relations in real time and offer a unifying explanation for various perceptual phenomena.
- Johannes Bill
- , Samuel J. Gershman
- & Jan Drugowitsch
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Measuring exposure to misinformation from political elites on Twitter
Misinformation online can be shared by major political figures and organizations. Here, the authors developed a method to measure exposure to information from these sources on Twitter, and show how exposure relates to the quality of the content people share and their political ideology.
- Mohsen Mosleh
- & David G. Rand
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How people wake up is associated with previous night’s sleep together with physical activity and food intake
In a prospective longitudinal study of 833 adults, we demonstrate that how you wake up and regain alertness in the hours after sleep is weakly associated with your genes. Instead, the modifiable factors of how you are sleeping, eating and exercising influence your return to full alertness, free of sleepiness.
- Raphael Vallat
- , Sarah E. Berry
- & Matthew P. Walker
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Female peer mentors early in college have lasting positive impacts on female engineering students that persist beyond graduation
The authors report findings from their study of female student participants interested in engineering at college entry who were randomly assigned to a female peer mentor, male mentor, or no mentor for their first year of college. The authors show that students assigned to a female peer mentor show benefits in psychological experiences in engineering, aspirations to pursue postgraduate engineering degrees, and emotional well-being, which persists up to one year after graduation.
- Deborah J. Wu
- , Kelsey C. Thiem
- & Nilanjana Dasgupta
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| Open Access
Multidimensional memory topography in the medial parietal cortex identified from neuroimaging of thousands of daily memory videos
Autobiographical memories are associated with activity in the hippocampus and the parietal cortex. Here the authors characterise the neural substrates for retrieving autobiographical memories from a large dataset, and identify a topography within the medial parietal cortex that reflects memory content, age, and memory strength.
- Wilma A. Bainbridge
- & Chris I. Baker
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Inducing forgetting of unwanted memories through subliminal reactivation
Classical forgetting methods typically re-expose people to reminders of their unwanted memories. Here, the authors disrupt unpleasant memories by subliminally reactivating them as participants suppress retrieval of unrelated neutral memories, avoiding the need for conscious exposure.
- Zijian Zhu
- , Michael C. Anderson
- & Yingying Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Human cooperation in changing groups in a large-scale public goods game
Little is known about the dynamics of human cooperation in groups with changing compositions. Using data from a large-scale and long-term online public goods game, this study shows how group changes are associated with temporarily lower cooperation.
- Kasper Otten
- , Ulrich J. Frey
- & Naomi Ellemers
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Article
| Open Access
V1-bypassing suppression leads to direction-specific microsaccade modulation in visual coding and perception
How microsaccades modulate visual coding and perception remains incompletely understood. Here, the authors identify an emerging suppression specific to microsaccade directions that alters responses in macaque V2 and impacts perceptual decisions.
- Yujie Wu
- , Tian Wang
- & Dajun Xing
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Article
| Open Access
Transcriptome-wide and stratified genomic structural equation modeling identify neurobiological pathways shared across diverse cognitive traits
High genetic overlap across traits requires methods that can be used to disentangle shared and unique biological pathways. Here, the authors introduce TSEM, a multivariate method for examining tissue-specific gene expression, and apply it to identify genes associated with cognitive traits.
- Andrew D. Grotzinger
- , Javier de la Fuente
- & Elliot M. Tucker-Drob
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Article
| Open Access
Incorporating social knowledge structures into computational models
People are remarkably good at learning about others’ personalities. Here, the authors develop computational models showing that this learning relies on a combination of prior beliefs and similarities between personality traits.
- Koen M. M. Frolichs
- , Gabriela Rosenblau
- & Christoph W. Korn
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Article
| Open Access
Public attitudes value interpretability but prioritize accuracy in Artificial Intelligence
For many AI systems, it is hard to interpret how they make decisions. Here, the authors show that non-experts value interpretability in AI, especially for decisions involving high stakes and scarce resources, but they sacrifice AI interpretability when it trades off against AI accuracy.
- Anne-Marie Nussberger
- , Lan Luo
- & M. J. Crockett
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Comment
| Open Access
Leveraging the science of stress to promote resilience and optimize mental health interventions during adolescence
Adolescence is marked by heightened stress exposure and psychopathology, but also vast potential for opportunity. We highlight how researchers can leverage both developmental and individual differences in stress responding and corticolimbic circuitry to optimize interventions during this unique developmental period.
- Dylan G. Gee
- , Lucinda M. Sisk
- & Nessa V. Bryce
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Article
| Open Access
A neuro-computational account of procrastination behavior
Most humans procrastinate to some extent, despite adverse consequences. Here, the authors show that how much an individual procrastinates, both in the lab and at home, relates to brain signals that reflect temporal discounting of effort cost.
- Raphaël Le Bouc
- & Mathias Pessiglione
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Article
| Open Access
Synthesizing theories of human language with Bayesian program induction
Humans can infer rules for building words in a new language from a handful of examples, and linguists also can infer language patterns across related languages. Here, the authors provide an algorithm which models these grammatical abilities by synthesizing human-understandable programs for building words.
- Kevin Ellis
- , Adam Albright
- & Timothy J. O’Donnell
Subtle adversarial image manipulations influence both human and machine perception