Topic: tipping point

In uncertain environments, we balance exploitation and exploration: we generally exploit rewarding opportunities, but sometimes explore uncertain alternatives that could be even better. Exploration is associated with a sudden disorganization of neuronal activity patterns in the prefrontal cortex, which could be a powerful way to promote discovery and learning. Although the mechanisms behind this disorganization remain unknown, one possibility is pupil-linked neuromodulatory systems. However, it is not clear whether pupil size predicts the neural signatures of exploration, much less the sudden