Fast and slow transitions in frontal ensemble activity during flexible sensorimotor behavior

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Cognitive control allows flexible switching between repetitive and goal-directed actions.
• Neural activity in the frontal cortex changes with adaptive behavioral shifts.
• The relationship between neural and behavioral adaptations across different timescales is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural dynamics underlying flexible sensorimotor decision-making.
• To explore the relationship between neural ensemble activity and behavioral adaptation in the secondary motor cortex (M2).
• To differentiate neural signatures associated with initiating goal-directed actions versus shifting to repetitive behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Developed an adaptive sensorimotor decision-making task for head-fixed mice.
• Utilized two-photon calcium imaging to monitor neural activity in the secondary motor cortex (M2).
• Analyzed ensemble activity states in relation to behavioral performance during shifts between auditory-motor mappings.

Main Results:

• Distinct ensemble activity states were observed for different auditory-motor mappings in M2.
• Transitions in M2 ensemble activity were abrupt and preceded behavioral recovery when adapting to new mappings.
• Gradual and delayed M2 activity transitions were associated with shifts toward repetitive responding.

Conclusions:

• Secondary motor cortex (M2) exhibits distinct neural signatures for the initiation and cessation of sensory-guided behaviors.
• M2 plays a leading role in initiating goal-directed behaviors that rely on sensorimotor associations.
• Neural adaptations in M2 can precede behavioral adjustments during cognitive flexibility tasks.