RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Time-sensitive prefrontal involvement in associating confidence with task performance illustrates metacognitive introspection in monkeys
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2021.11.30.470665
DO 10.1101/2021.11.30.470665
A1 Cai, Yudian
A1 Jin, Zhiyong
A1 Zhai, Chenxi
A1 Wang, Huimin
A1 Wang, Jijun
A1 Tang, Yingying
A1 Kwok, Sze Chai
YR 2021
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/12/29/2021.11.30.470665.abstract
AB Metacognition refers to the ability to be aware of one’s own cognition. Ample evidence indicates that metacognition in the human primate is highly dissociable from cognition, specialized across domains, and subserved by distinct neural substrates. However, these aspects remain relatively understudied in macaque monkeys. In the present study, we investigated the functionality of macaque metacognition by combining a confidence proxy, hierarchical Bayesian meta-d′ computational modelling, and a single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation technique. We found that Brodmann area 46d (BA46d) played a critical role in supporting metacognition independent of task performance; we also found that the critical role of this region in meta-calculation was time-sensitive. Additionally, we report that macaque metacognition is highly domain-specific with respect to memory and perception decisions. These findings carry implications for our understanding of metacognitive introspection within the primate lineage.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.