Time-sensitive prefrontal involvement in associating confidence with task performance illustrates metacognitive introspection in monkeys.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

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.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Cai, Y; Jin, Z; Zhai, C; Wang, H; Wang, J; Tang, Y; Kwok, SC

Published Date

  • August 2022

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 5 / 1

Start / End Page

  • 799 -

PubMed ID

  • 35945257

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC9363445

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2399-3642

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 2399-3642

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/s42003-022-03762-6

Language

  • eng