State-dependent changes in perception and coding in the mouse somatosensory cortex

Abstract

An animal's behavioral state is reflected in the dynamics of cortical population activity and its capacity to process sensory information. To better understand the relationship between behavioral states and information processing, mice are trained to detect varying amplitudes of whisker-deflection under two-photon calcium imaging. Layer 2/3 neurons (n=1436) in the vibrissal primary somatosensory cortex are imaged across different behavioral states, defined based on detection performance (low to high-state) and pupil diameter. The neurometric curve in each behavioral state mirrors the corresponding psychometric performance, with calcium signals predictive of the animal's choice outcome. High behavioral states are associated with lower network synchrony, extending over shorter cortical distances. The decrease of correlations in variability across neurons in the high state results in enhanced information transmission capacity at the population level. The observed state-dependent changes suggest that the coding regime within the first stage of cortical processing may underlie adaptive routing of relevant information through the sensorimotor system.

Emerging experience-dependent dynamics in primary somatosensory cortex reflect behavioral adaptation

“…This discrepancy could be a result of the complexity of the chosen behavioral paradigm or it could be because cortical signals are highly dynamic and context driven. More recent findings have shown that signals in primary somatosensory cortex can enhance stimulus selectivity with behavioral training 13 , fluctuate according to the behavioral state 14 , or even remap depending on downstream signals 15 . Together, these findings have opened up many questions and they motivate us to believe that neuronal signals in primary sensory areas may be highly dynamic, context or experience dependent, and part of an adaptive framework.…”