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Encoding of 3D Head Orienting Movements in the Primary Visual Cortex.
Grigori Guitchounts1, Javier Masís2, Steffen B E Wolff3
1Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Neuron
|August 14, 2020
Summary
Three-dimensional head movements significantly alter visual cortex activity, with distinct neural populations responding to movement in light or dark conditions. This research highlights the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Processing
- Motor Control
Background:
- Active sensing involves complex 3D movements influencing sensory input.
- Previous studies on movement-related neural modulation were limited by head-fixed preparations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how three-dimensional head-orienting movements (HOMs) modulate neuronal activity in the primary visual cortex (V1).
- To explore the role of motor efference copy in V1 modulation during active sensing.
Main Methods:
- Recording neuronal activity in V1 during free-moving animal experiments.
- Analyzing direction-specific modulation of V1 responses based on HOMs and light conditions.
- Investigating the neural pathways involved in transmitting motor commands to V1.
Main Results:
- HOMs induce direction-specific modulation of V1 activity, dependent on light.
- Two distinct neuronal populations in V1 show movement-direction tuning, one in darkness, another in light.
- While overall movement enhances V1 responses, HOMs specifically suppress them.
- V1 receives a motor efference copy from the secondary motor cortex related to head orientation.
Conclusions:
- Active 3D movements play a crucial role in shaping sensory cortical dynamics.
- Motor efference copy contributes to predictive coding mechanisms in the brain.
- Understanding movement-sensory interactions is vital for comprehending brain function in naturalistic behaviors.
Keywords:
active sensingcorollary dischargemovementnaturalistic behaviorpredictive codingvisual cortexMore Related Videos
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