Pupil-Linked Arousal and Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Investigating Adaptive Learning Strategies in a Set-Shifting Task

Pupil-Linked Arousal and Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Investigating Adaptive Learning Strategies in a Set-Shifting Task | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 28 October 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Pupil-Linked Arousal and Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Investigating Adaptive Learning Strategies in a Set-Shifting Task Authors : Vahid Bokharaie 0000-0001-6544-7960 [email protected] , Negar Safaei , Ryo Iwai , and Nikos Logothetis Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176162054.46578924/v1 252 views 183 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract This study examines how pupil-linked arousal relates to adaptive decision-making strategies under uncertainty in rats performing an attentional set-shifting task involving Intra-Dimensional Shifts (IDS) and Extra-Dimensional Shifts (EDS). Using pupillometry as an indirect measure of Locus Coeruleus Norepinephrine (LCNE) system activity, we investigated its role in modulating behavior during shifts in stimulus contingencies between auditory and visual modalities. Our findings demonstrate that pupil diameter dynamically reflects both external conditions and internal cognitive states, facilitating flexible adaptation during periods of heightened uncertainty. Using behavioral analysis, we identified two distinct sub-processes that underpin successful task performance: engagement with reward-related stimuli and inhibitory control. Looking at pupil values for different behavioral events and categories, we show that pupil variations happen in both phasic and tonic responses of the subjects and that in both cases, behaviors associated with correct responses were linked to a decrease in pupil diameter, while behaviors associated with incorrect responses often showed the opposite pattern. Our results emphasize how variations in pupil-linked arousal systematically correspond to cognitive strategies and decision-making flexibility, offering insights into neuromodulatory mechanisms underlying learning and adaptability in unpredictable environments. Supplementary Material File (ejn_figures.zip) Download 8.35 MB File (paper_al_ejn_rev_b.pdf) Download 9.17 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 28 October 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords behavioral learning cognitive neuroscience decision making neuromodulation pupillometry Authors Affiliations Vahid Bokharaie 0000-0001-6544-7960 [email protected] Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics View all articles by this author Negar Safaei Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics View all articles by this author Ryo Iwai Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics View all articles by this author Nikos Logothetis Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 252 views 183 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Vahid Bokharaie, Negar Safaei, Ryo Iwai, et al. Pupil-Linked Arousal and Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Investigating Adaptive Learning Strategies in a Set-Shifting Task. Authorea . 28 October 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176162054.46578924/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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