Brain Network Localization of Free Will

Network mapping revealed that, while the brain injuries were quite diverse in their locations, the lesions fell within one of two distinct brain networks. All of the injuries disrupting volition were functionally connected to the anterior cingulate cortex, a region of the brain associated with motivation and planning. Ninety percent of lesions causing alien limb fell within a brain network functionally connected to the precuneus cortex, part of the brain associated with agency. Finally, the authors showed that their findings were relevant beyond patients with brain injury. Brain stimulation to these same sites altered free will perception in healthy research participants, and neuroimaging of psychiatric patients with altered free will perception revealed abnormalities fell with these same brain networks. “Our study was focused on patients with disorders of free will for movements; however, free will is commonly discussed as it relates to social, legal and moral responsibility for decisions, not just movement,” said Fox. “It remains unknown whether the network of brain regions we identify as related to free will for movements is the same as those important for moral decision-making. https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/brain-network-localization-of-free-will-310303?utm_campaign=Newsletter_TN_BreakingScienceNews&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=66392011&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9bmuBPbBULrx7zoYPtQVOoNDDGVtsPPjbtK9SXTbiRdDgBVK71KufqISgvsmkk_k_rLiTDWPSCtUiYJb833UYX5md3uQ&_hsmi=66392011