Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.
Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 9 December 2005:
Vol. 310. no. 5754, pp. 1680 - 1683
DOI: 10.1126/science.1115327
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Reports

Neural Systems Responding to Degrees of Uncertainty in Human Decision-Making

Ming Hsu,1 Meghana Bhatt,1 Ralph Adolphs,1,2 Daniel Tranel,2 Colin F. Camerer1*

Much is known about how people make decisions under varying levels of probability (risk). Less is known about the neural basis of decision-making when probabilities are uncertain because of missing information (ambiguity). In decision theory, ambiguity about probabilities should not affect choices. Using functional brain imaging, we show that the level of ambiguity in choices correlates positively with activation in the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex, and negatively with a striatal system. Moreover, striatal activity correlates positively with expected reward. Neurological subjects with orbitofrontal lesions were insensitive to the level of ambiguity and risk in behavioral choices. These data suggest a general neural circuit responding to degrees of uncertainty, contrary to decision theory.

1 Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, 228-77, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
2 University of Iowa Medical School, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: camerer{at}hss.caltech.edu

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Dissociable Neural Systems Resolve Conflict from Emotional versus Nonemotional Distracters.
T. Egner, A. Etkin, S. Gale, and J. Hirsch (2008)
Cereb Cortex 18, 1475-1484
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Differential effects of insular and ventromedial prefrontal cortex lesions on risky decision-making.
L. Clark, A. Bechara, H. Damasio, M. R. F. Aitken, B. J. Sahakian, and T. W. Robbins (2008)
Brain 131, 1311-1322
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Endogenous steroids and financial risk taking on a London trading floor.
J. M. Coates and J. Herbert (2008)
PNAS 105, 6167-6172
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Human Insula Activation Reflects Risk Prediction Errors As Well As Risk.
K. Preuschoff, S. R. Quartz, and P. Bossaerts (2008)
J. Neurosci. 28, 2745-2752
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Neural Resources Associated with Perceptual Judgment across Sensory Modalities.
J. N. Yang, N. M. Szeverenyi, and D. Ts'o (2008)
Cereb Cortex 18, 38-45
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Immediate Reward Bias in Humans: Fronto-Parietal Networks and a Role for the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase 158Val/Val Genotype.
C. A. Boettiger, J. M. Mitchell, V. C. Tavares, M. Robertson, G. Joslyn, M. D'Esposito, and H. L. Fields (2007)
J. Neurosci. 27, 14383-14391
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Role of Orbitofrontal Cortex in Decision Making: A Component Process Account.
L. K. FELLOWS (2007)
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1121, 421-430
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Genetic Configurations of Political Phenomena: New Theories, New Methods.
I. H. Carmen (2007)
The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 614, 34-55
   Abstract »    PDF »
The Role of Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in Decision Making: Judgment under Uncertainty or Judgment Per Se?.
L. K. Fellows and M. J. Farah (2007)
Cereb Cortex 17, 2669-2674
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Hemispheric Specialization in Human Prefrontal Cortex for Resolving Certain and Uncertain Inferences.
V. Goel, M. Tierney, L. Sheesley, A. Bartolo, O. Vartanian, and J. Grafman (2007)
Cereb Cortex 17, 2245-2250
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Processing of Temporal Unpredictability in Human and Animal Amygdala.
C. Herry, D. R. Bach, F. Esposito, F. Di Salle, W. J. Perrig, K. Scheffler, A. Luthi, and E. Seifritz (2007)
J. Neurosci. 27, 5958-5966
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Receptor Theory and Biological Constraints on Value.
G. S. BERNS, C. M. CAPRA, and C. NOUSSAIR (2007)
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1104, 301-309
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Advances in understanding ventromedial prefrontal function: The accountant joins the executive.
L. K. Fellows (2007)
Neurology 68, 991-995
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Organizational Character: On the Regeneration of Camp Poplar Grove.
J. P. Birnholtz, M. D. Cohen, and S. V. Hoch (2007)
Organization Science 18, 315-332
   Abstract »    PDF »
Reward Value Coding Distinct From Risk Attitude-Related Uncertainty Coding in Human Reward Systems.
P. N. Tobler, J. P. O'Doherty, R. J. Dolan, and W. Schultz (2007)
J Neurophysiol 97, 1621-1632
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Decoding the neural substrates of reward-related decision making with functional MRI.
A. N. Hampton and J. P. O'Doherty (2007)
PNAS 104, 1377-1382
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Variations in the human pain stress experience mediated by ventral and dorsal Basal Ganglia dopamine activity..
D. J. Scott, M. M. Heitzeg, R. A. Koeppe, C. S. Stohler, and J.-K. Zubieta (2006)
J. Neurosci. 26, 10789-10795
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Anterior insula reactivity during certain decisions is associated with neuroticism.
J. S. Feinstein, M. B. Stein, and M. P. Paulus (2006)
Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 1, 136-142
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Frames, biases, and rational decision-making in the human brain..
B. De Martino, D. Kumaran, B. Seymour, and R. J. Dolan (2006)
Science 313, 684-687
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

To Advertise     Find Products