A non-monotonic code for event probability in the human brain

Abstract

Assessing probabilities and predicting future events are fundamental for perception and adaptive behavior, yet the neural representations of probability remain elusive. While previous studies have shown that neural activity in several brain regions correlates with probability-related factors such as surprise and uncertainty, similar correlations have not been found for probability. Here, using 7 Tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging, we uncover a representation of the probability of the next event in a sequence within the human dorsolateral prefrontal and intraparietal cortices. Crucially, univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that this representation employs a highly non-monotonic code. Tuning curves for probability exhibit selectivity to various probability ranges, while the code for confidence accompanying these estimates is predominantly monotonic. Given such diversity in tuning curves, future studies should move from assuming monotonic or simple canonical forms of tuning curves to considering richer representations, and clarify why different types of code exist.