From comparative connectomics to large-scale working memory modeling in macaque and marmoset

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Comparative Cognition
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• Macaques and marmosets are key primate models for cognitive neuroscience.
• Differences in prefrontal cortex (PFC) to posterior parietal cortex (PPC) connectivity exist between macaques and marmosets.
• Macaque PFC-PPC projections are crucial for executive functions, but absent in marmosets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a consensus mapping for comparing macaque and marmoset cortical atlases.
• To build comparative computational models of the frontoparietal circuit for working memory.
• To investigate the impact of connectivity differences on working memory and distractibility.

Main Methods:

• Created a consensus cortical atlas bridging macaque and marmoset species.
• Performed comparative connectomic analysis using the consensus mapping.
• Developed large-scale computational models of the frontoparietal circuit.
• Simulated working memory performance under varying connectivity parameters.

Main Results:

• Macaque models demonstrated resilience to distractors, essential for working memory.
• Marmoset models showed sensitivity to distractors, aligning with behavioral observations.
• Altering intrafrontal and frontoparietal connection strengths reversed distractibility trends in models.
• The macaque's executive function advantage is linked to specific top-down PFC-PPC connections.

Conclusions:

• Consensus mapping enables direct comparative analysis of primate brain connectomes.
• Computational modeling highlights the critical role of PFC-PPC connectivity in working memory and distractibility.
• Species-specific connectivity patterns influence cognitive abilities and have evolutionary implications.
• The study provides insights into primate ethology and the evolution of cognitive functions.