The Neural Markers of Perceptual Uncertainty/Curiosity—A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Pilot Study

Background: Curiosity is an immanent aspect of human experience linked to motivation, information-seeking, and learning processes. Previous research has highlighted the significant role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in curiosity-driven behaviors, particularly in processing uncertainty and evaluating information. Methods: This study aimed to examine cortical activation during the induction of perceptual uncertainty using a modified blurred picture paradigm. A total of 15 participants were tested with fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) while viewing pairs of images designed to induce perceptual uncertainty. Results: The results revealed a differential hemodynamic response in one of the analyzed channels associated with orbitofrontal cortex activation, with higher activity when uncertainty was reduced (the matching condition compared to the non-matching condition). Conclusions: These findings confirm the existence of neural pathways of curiosity. Furthermore, our study also highlights the spatial limitations of fNIRS in precisely localizing OFC activity.