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Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
A Top-Down Cortical Circuit for Accurate Sensory Perception.
Satoshi Manita1, Takayuki Suzuki1, Chihiro Homma1
1Laboratory for Behavioral Neurophysiology, Brain Science Institute, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako City, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
Higher brain areas actively engage in perception via top-down control circuits. A newly identified mouse somatosensory circuit shows M2 cortex input to S1 is essential for accurate tactile perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory processing
- Cortical circuits
Background:
- Top-down control in sensory processing remains debated.
- It is unclear if higher brain areas actively engage in perception or merely modulate it.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a neural circuit for top-down control in the mouse somatosensory system.
- To investigate the role of this circuit in sensory perception.
Main Methods:
- In vivo physiological recordings in mice.
- Optogenetic manipulation of neural circuits.
- Analysis of neural activity in response to sensory stimulation.
Main Results:
- Identified a reciprocal projection between secondary motor cortex (M2) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1).
- Sensory stimulation triggered sequential S1 to M2 and M2 to S1 activity.
- M2 input to S1 initiated dendritic spikes and persistent firing in S1 layer 5 neurons.
- Inhibiting M2 input to S1 reduced S1 neuron firing and impaired tactile perception.
Conclusions:
- Recurrent input to sensory areas is crucial for accurate perception.
- This study provides a physiological model for top-down control in sensory processing.
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