RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 From curiosity relief to epistemic surprise: complementary roles of the prefrontal cortex and the ventral striatum in the neural valuation of knowledge
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 157644
DO 10.1101/157644
A1 Romain Ligneul
A1 Martial Mermillod
A1 Tiffany Morisseau
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/06/30/157644.abstract
AB Epistemic curiosity (EC) is a cornerstone of human cognition that contributes to the actualization of our cognitive potential by stimulating a myriad of information-seeking behaviors. Understanding the neural control of EC requires interdisciplinary crosstalks at the theoretical and methodological levels. Using a trivia quiz performed under fMRI in which answer uncertainty was manipulated, we provide behavioral and neural evidence for an integrative model of EC inspired by predictive coding. Behavioral analyses supported a hypothesis derived from this theoretical framework according to which previously experienced surprise should reduce subsequent EC levels. While suppression of neural activity in the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex implemented this key regulatory mechanism, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex coordinated with an array of other brain regions to integrate several dimensions of knowledge valuation, including surprise itself. Following the logics of temporal-difference learning, the ventral striatum encoded curiosity relief only when answer delivery was stochastic. Finally, curiosity, prior knowledge and surprise concurred to predict subsequent memory recall, with surprise mediating curiosity-driven memory benefits. By reconciling different views on the neurocognitive underpinnings of knowledge valuation, these findings may provide a fertile ground for the burgeoning neuroscience of curiosity.