Neural computations and dynamics of flexible decision-making in mice

Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FLEXNEUROCOMP project will study decision variables at the behavioural and neural levels to understand the brain switching flexibility between them. The research will combine mice behavioural models with multiple decision variables and models of dynamical systems, employing electrophysiology and optogenetics to record and manipulate neuronal ensembles across multiple brain regions. The project aims to test the general hypothesis that the premotor cortex represents a reservoir of decision variables and flexibly routes the particular decision variable to motor regions. The results will provide an understanding of the neural mechanisms of individual variations in decision-making and the deviation of actions from normal behaviour, explaining diversity in human mental health.