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Updated: Aug 26, 2025
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Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings
Published on: August 1, 2018
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Stable Working Memory and Perceptual Representations in Macaque Lateral Prefrontal Cortex during Naturalistic Vision
Megan Roussy1,2,3, Benjamin Corrigan4,2, Rogelio Luna4,2
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada mroussy2@uwo.ca julio.martinez@robarts.ca.
Summary
Lateral prefrontal cortex neurons maintain distinct spatial codes for working memory and perception, even with naturalistic vision and eye movements. This research explores how these neurons function in complex environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Primate Behavior
Background:
- Neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) encode visuospatial information for perception and memory.
- Previous studies controlled for eye movements and visual complexity, leaving naturalistic conditions unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if LPFC neurons maintain robust perceptual and mnemonic visuospatial representations during naturalistic vision with eye movements.
- To examine neural coding in a complex virtual environment requiring navigation and free visual exploration.
Main Methods:
- Macaque monkeys performed perception and working memory tasks in a virtual environment.
- Electrophysiological recordings from 3950 LPFC neurons (areas 8a and 9/46) using multielectrode arrays.
- Eye movements were tracked, and neural activity was analyzed for spatial tuning and decoding.
Main Results:
- Behavioral strategies and eye movements differed between perception and working memory tasks.
- LPFC neurons showed spatial tuning, and ensemble activity predicted behavior.
- Neural decoding of target location was stable during working memory delays.
- Representations of similar target locations differed between working memory and perception tasks.
Conclusions:
- LPFC neurons maintain robust and distinct neural codes for mnemonic and perceptual visuospatial representations during naturalistic vision.
- Virtual environments are effective for studying neural mechanisms in complex, naturalistic tasks.
- Findings provide insight into the neural basis of spatial cognition in dynamic environments.
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