Multiplexed subspaces route neural activity across brain-wide networks.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Systems Neuroscience

Background:

• Cognitive flexibility allows rapid behavioral adaptation.
• Flexible cognition depends on dynamic routing of information across brain networks.
• Mechanisms governing network selection remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate how brain regions interact to support cognitive flexibility.
• Elucidate the neural basis of dynamic network engagement.
• Understand how moment-to-moment network changes support flexible behavior.

Main Methods:

• Combined cortex-wide calcium imaging and high-density electrophysiological recordings in mice.
• Analyzed neural activity across eight cortical and subcortical regions.
• Investigated functional connectivity between regional population activity and cortex-wide subspace networks.

Main Results:

• Found distinct dimensions in regional population activity functionally connected to specific cortex-wide subspace networks.
• Demonstrated that these subspace networks are multiplexed, with each region connected to multiple overlapping networks.
• Observed moment-to-moment changes in active subspace networks correlated with geometric alignment of neural responses within regions.

Conclusions:

• Neural representations' geometric changes within a region facilitate flexible engagement of brain-wide networks.
• This geometric mechanism supports moment-to-moment cognitive flexibility.
• Findings provide insights into the neural dynamics underlying adaptive behavior.