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bioRxiv · 10.1101/800284

Functional brain network reconfiguration during learning in a dynamic environment

Kao, C.-H.·Khambhati, A. N.·Bassett, D. S.·Nassar, M. R.·McGuire, J. T.·Gold, J. I.·Kable, J. W.
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Abstract

When learning about dynamic and uncertain environments, people should update their beliefs most strongly when new evidence is most informative, such as when the environment undergoes a surprising change or existing beliefs are highly uncertain. Here we show that modulations of surprise and uncertainty are encoded in a particular, temporally dynamic pattern of whole-brain functional connectivity, and this encoding is enhanced in individuals that adapt their learning dynamics more appropriately in response to these factors. The key feature of this whole-brain pattern of functional connectivity is stronger connectivity, or functional integration, between the fronto-parietal and other functional systems. Our results provide new insights regarding the association between dynamic adjustments in learning and dynamic, large-scale changes in functional connectivity across the brain.

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Kao, C.-H., Khambhati, A. N., Bassett, D. S., Nassar, M. R., McGuire, J. T., Gold, J. I., Kable, J. W.. 2019-10-10. Functional brain network reconfiguration during learning in a dynamic environment. https://doi.org/10.1101/800284

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