The Thesis Review [17] Paul Middlebrooks - Neuronal Correlates of Meta-Cognition in Primate Frontal Cortex
Jan 22, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Paul Middlebrooks, a neuroscientist and the host of the Brain Inspired podcast, delves into his PhD research on meta-cognition in primate frontal cortex. He explores the intricate connections between consciousness and decision-making, sharing insights on the challenges of studying these processes in both monkeys and humans. The conversation also highlights the evolving relationship between neuroscience and artificial intelligence, revealing how each field can inform and inspire the other. Plus, Paul shares his journey from PhD to podcasting, emphasizing the importance of taking action in research.
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Abstract Concepts Guide Neuroscience
- Cognitive concepts like working memory are abstract signposts that help guide research despite their vagueness.
- Neuroscience explores algorithmic and implementation levels beneath these computational theories to understand brain function.
Training Monkeys for Metacognition
- Paul trained monkeys for months to perform a metacognition betting task measuring confidence in decisions.
- The complexity and lack of verbal instructions made training a slow, exploratory process distinct from typical machine learning training.
Distributed Neural Processing
- Neural functions are distributed widely across many brain areas rather than localized.
- This matches a modern neuroscience view that complex behaviors arise from network coordination, not single regions.
