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Emergence of cortical network motifs for short-term memory during learning
Xin Wei Chia1, Jian Kwang Tan1, Lee Fang Ang1
1Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 308232, Singapore.
Nature Communications
|October 29, 2023
Summary
Learning refines brain networks by strengthening connections between anterior lateral motor cortex (ALM) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC) for adaptive behaviors. This specific neural communication enhances task performance and decision-making stability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Adaptive behavior relies on coordinated neural activity across brain regions.
- The developmental changes in neural communication during learning are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how neural communication and functional connectivity evolve across cortical regions during the learning of a cognitive task.
- To identify specific neural subnetworks and inter-areal communication channels critical for adaptive behavior.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous two-photon calcium imaging of layer 2/3 excitatory neurons in eight dorsal cortical regions of mice.
- Analysis of neural activity and functional connectivity during a delayed-response task.
- Perturbation of posterior parietal cortex (PPC) activity and reconstruction of neural dynamics using recurrent neural networks.
Main Results:
- Global functional connectivity decreased, while a specific subnetwork between anterior lateral motor cortex (ALM) and PPC emerged.
- Neurons within the ALM-PPC subnetwork exhibited shared choice coding and developed recurrent functional connectivity during learning.
- PPC suppression impaired ALM choice selectivity and task performance.
- PPC-ALM interactions stabilized choice-related attractor dynamics in ALM.
Conclusions:
- Learning induces the formation of specific cortical network motifs by establishing targeted inter-areal communication.
- The ALM-PPC communication channel is crucial for robust sensorimotor transformation and adaptive behavior.
- Recurrent interactions between cortical areas are essential for stable cognitive representations during learning.
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