An active inference perspective for the amygdala complex

Ronald Sladky; Dominic Kargl; Wulf Haubensak; Claus Lamm

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2023.11.004

Titel

An active inference perspective for the amygdala complex

Autor*in

Ronald Sladky

Institut für Psychologie der Kognition, Emotion und Methoden, Fakultät für Psychologie, Universität Wien

Dominic Kargl

Department of Neuronal Cell Biology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna

Wulf Haubensak

Department of Neuronal Cell Biology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna

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Abstract

The amygdala is a heterogeneous network of subcortical nuclei with central importance in cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Various experimental designs in human psychology and animal model research have mapped multiple conceptual frameworks (e.g., valence/salience and decision making) to ever more refined amygdala circuitry. However, these predominantly bottom up-driven accounts often rely on interpretations tailored to a specific phenomenon, thus preventing comprehensive and integrative theories. We argue here that an active inference model of amygdala function could unify these fractionated approaches into an overarching framework for clearer empirical predictions and mechanistic interpretations. This framework embeds top-down predictive models, informed by prior knowledge and belief updating, within a dynamical system distributed across amygdala circuits in which self-regulation is implemented by continuously tracking environmental and homeostatic demands.

Stichwort

amygdalaemotionsactive inferenceanxietyfearavoidance behavior

Objekt-Typ

journal article

Sprache

Englisch [eng]

Persistent identifier

phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:2045044

DOI

10.1016/j.tics.2023.11.004

Erschienen in

Titel