Distinct prelimbic cortex ensembles encode response execution and inhibition.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience

Background:

• Adaptable behavior relies on integrating past experiences with new information.
• The prelimbic cortex (PL) shows stable neural ensembles during reward learning.
• It remains unknown if PL ensembles adapt to changing reward contingencies or if new ensembles are recruited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how prelimbic cortex (PL) neural ensembles adapt to shifts in reward contingencies.
• To determine if distinct PL ensembles encode action execution versus inhibition.
• To examine the role of PL ensembles during reward training, extinction, and reinstatement.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal single-cell calcium imaging in rats.
• Operant conditioning, extinction, and reinstatement paradigms.
• Development of rat-specific decoders for trial-wise behavior prediction.
• In-silico deletion to assess ensemble contributions.

Main Results:

• Operant training and extinction recruit distinct PL neural ensembles.
• These ensembles encode response execution and inhibition, respectively.
• Both ensembles were re-engaged and maintained their roles during reinstatement.

Conclusions:

• The prelimbic cortex (PL) utilizes distinct neural ensembles for encoding multiple learned associations.
• Selective recruitment of these ensembles supports behavioral flexibility in response to changing contingencies.
• This highlights ensemble-based neural coding for adaptive behavior.