Rational thoughts in neural codes

First, we describe a new method for inferring the mental model of an animal performing a natural task. We use probabilistic methods to compute the most likely mental model based on an animal’s sensory observations and actions. This also reveals dynamic beliefs that would be optimal according to the animal’s internal model, and thus provides a practical notion of “rational thoughts.” Second, we construct a neural coding framework by which these rational thoughts, their computational dynamics, and actions can be identified within the manifold of neural activity. We illustrate the value of this approach by training an artificial neural network to perform a generalization of a widely used foraging task. We analyze the network’s behaviour to find rational thoughts, and successfully recover the neural properties that implemented those thoughts, providing a way of interpreting the complex neural dynamics of the artificial brain. Joint work with Zhengwei Wu, Minhae Kwon, Saurabh Daptardar, and Paul Schrater.