Distributed coding of choice, action and engagement across the mouse brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience

Background:

• Behavioral processes like vision, choice, and action emerge from complex neuronal activity.
• Understanding the spatial organization of neurons encoding these processes is crucial for deciphering brain function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the spatial distribution of neurons underlying vision, choice, and action in the mouse brain.
• To investigate how neuronal activity across different brain regions relates to task engagement.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Neuropixels probes for high-density recordings from ~30,000 neurons across 42 brain regions in mice.
• Analyzed neuronal activity during a visual discrimination task to identify encoding of stimuli, choices, and actions.

Main Results:

• Action-related neuronal activity was non-specific and observed across nearly all recorded regions.
• Neurons encoding visual stimuli and upcoming choices were spatially restricted to the neocortex, basal ganglia, and midbrain.
• Brain-wide pre-stimulus activity predicted trial engagement, with distinct subcortical and neocortical patterns.

Conclusions:

• Neuronal encoding of behaviorally relevant variables follows specific spatial organizing principles across the mouse brain.
• Choice signals are rare and emerge with consistent timing, while action signals are broadly distributed.
• Distinct patterns of brain-wide activity differentiate engaged versus disengaged states during task performance.