The Neural Basis of Metacognition

描述（由申请人提供）：人类拥有监测和控制自己认知的有用能力，这种现象被称为元认知。这种能力对我们的意志、自信和自我意识至关重要，赋予元认知广泛的临床意义。功能磁共振成像（fMRI）和病变研究表明，哪些特定的大脑区域可能有助于元认知过程，但元认知的神经基础仍有待探索。本研究的主要目的是阐明元认知的神经机制。为了做到这一点，现有的元认知行为范式将被改编成适合神经生理学的视觉动眼力任务。第一个具体目的是检验新的元认知任务引发元认知行为的假设。将建立元认知行为的操作定义，并分析心理物理结果以确定它们是否符合既定标准。第二个具体目标是测试元认知过程可以在单细胞水平上表征的假设。在执行元认知任务时，单个神经元的活动将从特定的皮质部位被记录下来。基于先前确定的对视觉、眼球运动和高级认知功能重要的皮质区域，并在元认知功能磁共振成像研究的指导下，将记录来自额视野（FEF）、背外侧前额叶皮层（DLPFC）和辅助视野（SEF）的单个神经元。预测将会在这些皮层区域中可能出现的反应类型进行测试。第三个具体目标是在执行元认知任务时使用可逆失活来确定每个皮质区域的功能角色。本文的研究将开始阐明元认知的神经基础，并为今后的元认知研究奠定基础。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Humans possess the useful ability to monitor and control our own cognition, a phenomenon known as metacognition. This ability is essential to our sense of volition, confidence, and self-awareness, giving metacognition a broad clinical relevance. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and lesion studies suggest which particular brain regions may contribute to metacognitive processes, but the neural basis of metacognition remains to be explored. The primary goal of this proposal is to elucidate neuronal mechanisms underlying metacognition. To do this, existing metacognition behavioral paradigms will be adapted into a visual oculomotor task suitable for neurophysiology. The first specific aim is to test the hypothesis that the new metacognition task elicits metacognitive behavior. An operational definition of metacognitive behavior will be established, and psychophysical results will be analyzed to determine whether they meet the established criteria. The second specific aim is to test the hypothesis that metacognitive processes can be characterized at the single cell level. Single neuron activity will be recorded from specific cortical sites during performance of the metacognition task. Based on cortical regions previously established as important for visual, oculomotor, and higher cognitive functioning, and guided by metacognition fMRI studies, single neurons will be recorded from frontal eye field (FEF), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and supplementary eye field (SEF). Predictions will be tested regarding the types of responses likely to arise in each of these cortical regions. The third specific aim is to establish the functional roles of each of the cortical areas using reversible inactivation during performance of the metacognition task. This researched proposed herein will begin to elucidate the neural basis of metacognition, and will provide a foundation for future metacognition research. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The research proposed herein will begin to elucidate the neural basis of metacognition, and will provide a foundation for future metacognition research. Metacognitive deficits have been implicated in a range of pathologies, such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the neural basis of metacogntion will help understand how to treat patients with such disorders. Currently, metacognition-based therapies are also being used as a tool to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and to improve learning in mentally disabled individuals.