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Formation of task representations and replay in mouse medial prefrontal cortex
Hamed Shabani1, Hannah Muysers2, Yuk-Hoi Yiu1,3,4
1Bernstein Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
Elife
|March 18, 2026
Summary
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) forms new task representations during learning, not relying on prior spatial memory. Neural sequences in the mPFC evaluate outcomes rather than planning actions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is crucial for cognitive flexibility.
- Understanding how the mPFC forms generalized task representations is incomplete.
- Its relation to existing spatial or contextual information is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the formation of generalized task representations in the mPFC during learning.
- Examine the role of the mPFC in cognitive flexibility and spatial memory.
- Analyze the temporal dynamics of neural activity and representations.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal one-photon calcium imaging in mice.
- Olfaction-guided spatial memory task over 8 weeks.
- Analysis of neural activity during habituation, training, and sleep epochs.
Main Results:
- Task-related neural activity largely emerged after proficient performance.
- Goal arm information was robustly represented but underwent significant remapping.
- Recurring neural sequences and reward-site replay were observed during learning.
- Odor identity information was available early in neural activity patterns.
Conclusions:
- The mPFC establishes generalized task representations de novo during learning.
- Preexisting spatial representations are minimally involved.
- mPFC neural sequences likely evaluate behavioral outcomes, not future planning.
