Uncertainty modulates visual maps during non-instrumental information demand

• DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.20.453107
• Publication Date: 2021-07-22T00:35:14Z
• Authors: Yvonne Li; Nabil Daddaoua; Mattias Horan; Jacqueline Gottlieb
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences

Abstract Animals are intrinsically motivated to resolve uncertainty and predict future events. This motivation is encoded in cortical subcortical structures, but a key open question how it generates concrete policies for attending informative stimuli. We examined this using neural recordings the monkey lateral intraparietal area (LIP), visual implicated attention gaze, during non-instrumental information demand. show that was resolved by cue enhanced visuo-spatial responses of LIP cells independently reward probability. enhancement independent immediate saccade plans correlated with sensitivity eye movement behavior on longer time scales (across sessions/days). The findings suggest topographic maps receive motivational signals uncertainty, which enhance priority stimuli likelihood animals will orient reduce uncertainty.