Study reveals role of claustrum in brain in learning from experiences

Role of the claustrum in learning

A recent scientific study showed that a small, deep region of the brain known as the "claustrum" plays a role in processing uncertainty and the differences between expected and actual outcomes, which may help humans adjust their expectations and behavior when facing unexpected situations.

Research methodology and participants

The scientific website "Medical Xpress" reported on Sunday that researchers from Yale University School of Medicine in the US monitored neural activity in the claustrum of people with epilepsy, during experiments aimed at studying how the brain learns from negative outcomes and adapts to changing circumstances. The study results were published in the scientific journal "Nature Neuroscience" on October 6.

Experiments and scientific observations

The researchers recorded neural activity in seven patients who were undergoing brain monitoring for medical purposes, using implanted electrodes to identify the areas where seizures begin. The patients participated in a computer task that required steering a virtual spacecraft to avoid colliding with asteroids, with changing probabilities of safe passages appearing, which required them to continuously adjust their expectations.

The results showed that groups of nerve cells in the claustrum respond to indicators of uncertainty and the differences between what the brain expects and what actually happens, while trying to avoid negative outcomes. This indicates the contribution of this region to monitoring changing conditions and updating expectations related to behavior.

Comparison with other brain regions

Researchers also noted differences in neural activity patterns in the claustrum compared to those recorded in the amygdala, a region associated with processing emotions and threat-related learning. Meanwhile, the results showed similarities between claustrum activity and the anterior cingulate cortex, which contributes to evaluating outcomes and guiding behavior.

The claustrum is located deep within the cerebral cortex and is connected to widespread areas of the brain, although its functions are not yet fully understood. Researchers believe the results provide new data to understand its role in learning from negative experiences and dealing with uncertainty, with the need for further studies to determine its functions precisely.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)