Neural activity in the mouse claustrum in a cross-modal sensory selection task

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• The claustrum, a subcortical nucleus, extensively connects with the neocortex.
• It is hypothesized to play a role in sensory selection and modulating neocortical responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the claustrum in sensory selection and motor control.
• To understand how claustrum activity influences neocortical function during decision-making tasks.

Main Methods:

• Electrophysiological recordings from claustrum neurons in mice performing a tactile-visual sensory-selection task.
• Optotagging of claustrocortical neurons projecting to the primary somatosensory cortex (S1).
• Chemogenetic inhibition of claustrocortical neurons.

Main Results:

• Anterior claustrum neurons, including those projecting to S1, showed minimal sensory modulation but exhibited direction-tuned motor responses.
• Claustrum neurons encoded upcoming movements and synchronous firing in neuron pairs correlated with contralateral lick directions.
• Inhibition of claustrocortical neurons impaired lick responses to irrelevant sensory stimuli.

Conclusions:

• The claustrum is integrated into higher-order premotor circuits involved in decision-making.
• Claustrum activity, particularly ensembles of tuned neurons, may modulate cortical activity related to motor output.
• The claustrum's function extends beyond sensory selection to premotor control and decision-making processes.