Large-scale imaging of cortical dynamics during sensory perception and behavior

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience

Background:

• Sensory behaviors involve complex cortical processing from input to output.
• Understanding the temporal dynamics of large-scale neural activity is crucial for deciphering brain function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the temporal dynamics of neural activity across large cortical areas.
• To develop and apply improved functional imaging tools for brain-wide circuit analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a transgenic mouse model expressing GCaMP6s for genetically encoded calcium sensing.
• Employed a head-fixed visual discrimination task with high-resolution functional imaging across the dorsal cortex.
• Integrated two-photon microscopy for detailed analysis of selected cortical regions.

Main Results:

• Revealed a progression of activity across different cortical regions during an orientation discrimination task.
• Demonstrated imaging capabilities with spatial resolution down to 100 μm, distinguishing local activity.
• Observed correlations between individual neuron activity in specific regions and locomotion in trained mice.

Conclusions:

• The developed functional imaging paradigm provides a powerful tool for studying brain-wide circuits.
• This technique enables the investigation of information flow and network processing in sensory and cognitive tasks.
• The findings offer insights into the temporal dynamics of neural populations during behavior.