Cortical Circuits of Context Adaptability: Understanding the Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Underlying Flexible Behavior

Abstract

The present pilot study aims to investigate the cortical circuits involved in context adaptability and gain initial insights into the neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying flexible behavior. To accomplish this, we designed a novel first-person perspective picture-based decision-making task, using stick figures and objects, where eight participants were engaged in imagining themselves as stick figures for each depicted scenario. These scenarios were portrayed through objects and emotional contexts of positivity, negativity, and neutrality. Our results showed a significant link (p = 0.020) between the absolute power values of the alpha frequency band (8–12 Hz) and ratings for positive context stimuli in one group. This suggests that alpha power may affect how people rate positive situations. We also found a significant association between the absolute power values of theta (4–7 Hz) and alpha frequency bands for neutral context stimuli in both group 1 (p = 0.023 and p = 0.022) and group 2 (p = 0.047 and p = 0.020). However, we found no significant associations between absolute power values of frequency bands (theta, alpha, beta1, beta2, beta3 and gamma) and ratings for negative stimuli in both the groups (p = 0.099, p = 0.105). Nonetheless, the linear regression models demonstrated strong fits, capturing variance in the data. Findings provide initial insights into emotional processing and decision-making, warranting further research with larger samples.