14 DAY TRIAL // A group of scientists with the University of British Columbia (UBC) was recently able to determine that a very small structure in the human brain plays a role in underlying decision-making skills, particularly those based on cost-benefit analyses of all available factors.
This area of the brain is called that lateral habenula. Previous studies have suggested that it plays an important role in triggering depression and avoidance behaviors, but the new data appears to indicate that the lateral habenula serves other purposes as well.
The mechanisms the human brain uses to make decisions have always fascinated researchers, so they have been trying to pinpoint the areas of the human brain responsible for this process for many years.
The latest study by UBC researchers, published in a recent issue of the top scientific journal Nature Neuroscience, suggests that the role of the lateral habenula has been drastically understated and misunderstood. The team reveals how this brain region plays a role in cost-benefit decision-making.
The conclusions of this new study carry some very disturbing implications for treating depression. One of the methods used against this disorder is deep brain stimulation, where electrodes are inserted into the brain, and mild electrical impulses are used to inactivate the lateral habenula.
DBS is known to reduce depression symptoms, but the UBC team says that this alleviation may stem from an undesired source. “Our findings suggest these improvements may not be because patients feel happier. They may simply no longer care as much about what is making them feel depressed,” says Stan Floresco.
The researcher holds an appointment as a professor with the Department of Psychology and the Brain Research Center (BRC), both at UBC. He conducted the work with PhD candidate Colin Stopper.
“These findings clarify the brain processes involved in the important decisions that we make on a daily basis, from choosing between job offers to deciding which house or car to buy. It also suggests that the scientific community has misunderstood the true functioning of this mysterious, but important, region of the brain,” Floresco adds.