Fast and slow transitions in frontal ensemble activity during flexible sensorimotor behavior.

Authors

Michael J Siniscalchi
Victoria Phoumthipphavong
Farhan Ali
Marc Lozano
Alex C Kwan

Publication/Presentation Date

9-1-2016

Abstract

The ability to shift between repetitive and goal-directed actions is a hallmark of cognitive control. Previous studies have reported that adaptive shifts in behavior are accompanied by changes of neural activity in frontal cortex. However, neural and behavioral adaptations can occur at multiple time scales, and their relationship remains poorly defined. Here we developed an adaptive sensorimotor decision-making task for head-fixed mice, requiring them to shift flexibly between multiple auditory-motor mappings. Two-photon calcium imaging of secondary motor cortex (M2) revealed different ensemble activity states for each mapping. When adapting to a conditional mapping, transitions in ensemble activity were abrupt and occurred before the recovery of behavioral performance. By contrast, gradual and delayed transitions accompanied shifts toward repetitive responding. These results demonstrate distinct ensemble signatures associated with the start versus end of sensory-guided behavior and suggest that M2 leads in engaging goal-directed response strategies that require sensorimotor associations.

Volume

19

Issue

9

First Page

1234

Last Page

1242

ISSN

1546-1726

Published In/Presented At

Siniscalchi, M. J., Phoumthipphavong, V., Ali, F., Lozano, M., & Kwan, A. C. (2016). Fast and slow transitions in frontal ensemble activity during flexible sensorimotor behavior. Nature neuroscience, 19(9), 1234–1242. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.4342

Disciplines

Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

27399844

Department(s)

USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article