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Ventromedial prefrontal cortex compression during concept learning

Author

Listed:
  • Michael L. Mack

    (University of Toronto)

  • Alison R. Preston

    (The University of Texas at Austin
    The University of Texas at Austin
    The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Bradley C. Love

    (University College London
    Alan Turing Institute)

Abstract

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) is thought to support the ability to focus on goal-relevant information by filtering out irrelevant information, a process akin to dimensionality reduction. Here, we test this dimensionality reduction hypothesis by relating a data-driven approach to characterizing the complexity of neural representation with a theoretically-supported computational model of learning. We find evidence of goal-directed dimensionality reduction within human ventromedial PFC during learning. Importantly, by using computational predictions of each participant’s attentional strategies during learning, we find that that the degree of neural compression predicts an individual’s ability to selectively attend to concept-specific information. These findings suggest a domain-general mechanism of learning through compression in ventromedial PFC.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael L. Mack & Alison R. Preston & Bradley C. Love, 2020. "Ventromedial prefrontal cortex compression during concept learning," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13930-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13930-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Nir Moneta & Mona M. Garvert & Hauke R. Heekeren & Nicolas W. Schuck, 2023. "Task state representations in vmPFC mediate relevant and irrelevant value signals and their behavioral influence," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-21, December.

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