Journal Article

FZJ-2017-04485

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Disruption of the Right Temporoparietal Junction Impairs Probabilistic Belief Updating

Mengotti, P. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Dombert, P. L.FZJ* ; Fink, G. R.FZJ* ; Vossel, S.FZJ*

2017
Soc. Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/16088  doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3683-16.2017

Abstract: Generating and updating probabilistic models of the environment is a fundamental modus operandi of the human brain. Although crucial for various cognitive functions, the neural mechanisms of these inference processes remain to be elucidated. Here, we show the causal involvement of the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) in updating probabilistic beliefs and we provide new insights into the chronometry of the process by combining online transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with computational modeling of behavioral responses. Female and male participants performed a modified location-cueing paradigm, where false information about the percentage of cue validity (%CV) was provided in half of the experimental blocks to prompt updating of prior expectations. Online double-pulse TMS over rTPJ 300 ms (but not 50 ms) after target appearance selectively decreased participants' updating of false prior beliefs concerning %CV, reflected in a decreased learning rate of a Rescorla–Wagner model. Online TMS over rTPJ also impacted on participants' explicit beliefs, causing them to overestimate %CV. These results confirm the involvement of rTPJ in updating of probabilistic beliefs, thereby advancing our understanding of this area's function during cognitive processing.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Kognitive Neurowissenschaften (INM-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 572 - (Dys-)function and Plasticity (POF3-572) (POF3-572)

Appears in the scientific report 2017

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Database coverage:
; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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