Abstract
To survive in an ever-changing environment, animals must detect and learn salient information. The anterior insular cortex (aIC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are heavily implicated in salience and novelty processing, and specifically, the processing of taste sensory information. Here, we examined the role of aIC-mPFC reciprocal connectivity in novel taste neophobia and memory formation, in mice. Using pERK and neuronal intrinsic properties as markers for neuronal activation, and retrograde AAV (rAAV) constructs for connectivity, we demonstrate a correlation between aIC-mPFC activity and novel taste experience. Furthermore, by expressing inhibitory chemogenetic receptors in these projections, we show that aIC-to-mPFC activity is necessary for both taste neophobia and its attenuation. However, activity within mPFC-to-aIC projections is essential only for the neophobic reaction but not for the learning process. These results provide an insight into the cortical circuitry needed to detect, react to- and learn salient stimuli, a process critically involved in psychiatric disorders.
Highlights
Determining salient stimuli from the continuously perceived sensory input is a key component for effective learning that has been shaped throughout evolution
Using Phosphorylated ERK (pERK) and neuronal intrinsic properties as markers for neuronal activation, and retrograde AAV constructs for connectivity, we demonstrate a correlation between anterior insular cortex (aIC)-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity and novel taste experience
Given that mPFC activity is crucial for novel taste memory formation (Gonzalez et al, 2015; Uematsu et al, 2015; Mickley et al, 2007), and is correlated with learning novel experiences (Euston et al, 2012), we examined the role of aIC348 mPFC reciprocal projections in novel taste learning
Summary
Determining salient stimuli from the continuously perceived sensory input is a key component for effective learning that has been shaped throughout evolution. Numerous studies have identified cortical and subcortical brain structures that are involved in the detection of salient stimuli, with the insular cortex (IC) being a key node of the salience network (Gogolla, 2017; Livneh et al, 2017; Uddin, 2015). The IC is believed to have a critical role in the bottom-up detection of salient events and attention allocation (Menon & Uddin, 2010). When a salient stimulus is detected, the insula assists in targeting other brain structures that enable access to attention and working memory resources
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
