Findings Could Improve Understanding of Neuropsychiatric Diseases

Researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center found in a recent study that decision-making accuracy can be improved by postponing the onset of a decision by a fraction of a second. The results of the study could further the understanding of neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by abnormalities in cognitive function and lead to new training strategies to improve decision-making. Previous studies have shown that response accuracy can be improved by prolonging the decision making process, to allow the brain time to collect more information. Because accuracy is increased at the cost of longer reaction times, this process is referred to as the “speed-accuracy trade-off.” The research team conducted two experiments in which the participants viewed various stimuli manipulated by the researchers to determine how quickly the brain is able to block out distractions and focus on the task at hand. The experiments revealed that it is more beneficial to delay (rather than prolong) the decision process, allowing attention to be focused on a specific target to help prevent irrelevant information from interfering, thus making a correct decision. Additionally, because the study provided important insights into fundamental brain processes, it yields clues as to what might be going wrong in diseases such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and schizophrenia. To read more about this study, click here.