Low-dimensional attractor for neural activity from local field potentials in optogenetic mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Optogenetics
• Computational Neuroscience

Background:

• The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is crucial for cognitive functions.
• Understanding the local network dynamics of the mPFC is essential for brain function research.
• Optogenetic tools allow precise control over neural activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate nonlinear responses of the mPFC local network to optical stimulation.
• To determine if mPFC network dynamics can be modeled in a low-dimensional phase space.

Main Methods:

• Optogenetic stimulation of mPFC in mice using a 473 nm laser.
• Recording local field potentials (LFPs) at a 10 kHz sampling rate.
• Nonlinearity analysis using surrogate data, time reversal asymmetry, and false nearest neighbor (FNN).
• Phase resetting analysis and dendrogram-based trial grouping.

Main Results:

• Nonlinearity was present in all recorded LFP data.
• mPFC network dynamics exhibited transient and steady-state responses to light stimuli.
• Steady dynamics were reconstructed in a three-dimensional phase space with consistent "8"-shaped attractors across animals.

Conclusions:

• The mPFC local network displays nonlinear dynamics under optogenetic stimulation.
• A low-dimensional model can potentially describe the optical stimulation of the mPFC network.
• Findings pave the way for simplified models of neural network responses.