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Stimulus selection enhances value-modulated somatosensory processing in the superior colliculus
Yun Wen Chu1, Suma Chinta1, Hayagreev V S Keri1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America.
Plos Biology
|March 31, 2025
Summary
The superior colliculus (SC) transforms sensory location maps into value-based maps, unlike the somatosensory cortex (S1). This neural transformation aids in prioritizing stimuli for intelligent behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Processing
- Decision-Making
Background:
- Intelligent behavior requires selective responses to stimuli based on their value.
- Understanding the neural basis of stimulus valuation is crucial for comprehending decision-making processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural hierarchy where somatosensory processing shifts from location-based to value-based representations.
- To determine the role of the somatosensory cortex (S1) and superior colliculus (SC) in encoding stimulus value and priority.
Main Methods:
- Recorded single-unit neural activity in S1 and SC of mice performing a task involving positive and negative-valued stimuli.
- Manipulated task conditions to assess the influence of behavioral choice and task readiness on neural activity.
Main Results:
- Somatosensory cortex (S1) neurons showed equal preference for both stimuli, reflecting a somatotopic map.
- Superior colliculus (SC) neurons exhibited a disproportionate bias towards the positive stimulus, driven by suppressed responses to the negative stimulus.
- Task readiness and behavioral selection enhanced stimulus bias and spontaneous firing rates in SC, but not S1.
Conclusions:
- The superior colliculus (SC) transforms somatotopic information into a value-based map, encoding stimulus priority.
- SC neurons play a critical role in perceptual decision-making and value-based stimulus selection.
- Neural selectivity for stimulus value is dynamically modulated by task demands and readiness.
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