Cellular imaging in behaving mice reveals learning-related specificity in motor cortex circuits

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Cellular imaging in behaving mice reveals learning-related specificity in motor cortex circuits Takaki Komiyama1*, Takashi R. Sato1, Daniel H. O'Connor1, Ying-Xin Huber1, Daniel Hooks1, Bryan M. Gabitto2 and Mariano Svoboda1 1 HHMI, Janelia Farm Research Campus, United States 2 Columbia University, United States Cortical neurons are connected into highly specific neural networks, but the relationship between network dynamics and behavior is poorly understood. Two-photon calcium imaging can monitor activity of multiple, spatially defined cells in the mammalian cortex. Here we applied this technique to image activity in the motor cortex of mice performing a learned choice behavior. We developed an odor discrimination task in which head-fixed mice learned to lick in response to one of two odors and withhold licking for the other odor. Mice routinely learned this task within a single behavioral session. Microstimulation and transsynaptic tracing with pseudorabies virus identified two non-overlapping candidate tongue motor cortical areas. Imaging in layer 2/3 revealed neurons with diverse response types in both areas. Activity in approximately half of the imaged neurons distinguished trial types associated with different actions. Many neurons showed modulation coinciding with or preceding the action, consistent with their involvement in motor control; these neurons were more prevalent in the area identified by transsynaptic tracing. Neurons with different response types were spatially intermingled. However, nearby neurons (within ~150 micrometers) showed pronounced temporally coincident activity. These temporal correlations, which were apparent during task performance and inter-trial intervals, were particularly high for pairs of neurons with similar response types, and increased with learning specifically for similar response type pairs. We propose that correlated activity in specific ensembles of neurons is a signature of learning-related circuit plasticity underlying motor behavior. Our findings reveal a fine-scale and dynamic organization of the frontal cortex which likely underlies flexible behavior. Conference: Computational and Systems Neuroscience 2010, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, 25 Feb - 2 Mar, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster session I Citation: Komiyama T, Sato TR, O'Connor DH, Huber Y, Hooks D, Gabitto BM and Svoboda M (2010). Cellular imaging in behaving mice reveals learning-related specificity in motor cortex circuits. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: Computational and Systems Neuroscience 2010. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.03.00096 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 20 Feb 2010; Published Online: 20 Feb 2010. * Correspondence: Takaki Komiyama, HHMI, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, United States, komiyamat@janelia.hhmi.org Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Takaki Komiyama Takashi R Sato Daniel H O'Connor Ying-Xin Huber Daniel Hooks Bryan M Gabitto Mariano Svoboda Google Takaki Komiyama Takashi R Sato Daniel H O'Connor Ying-Xin Huber Daniel Hooks Bryan M Gabitto Mariano Svoboda Google Scholar Takaki Komiyama Takashi R Sato Daniel H O'Connor Ying-Xin Huber Daniel Hooks Bryan M Gabitto Mariano Svoboda PubMed Takaki Komiyama Takashi R Sato Daniel H O'Connor Ying-Xin Huber Daniel Hooks Bryan M Gabitto Mariano Svoboda Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.