Experience and behavior modulate piriform cortex odor representation in freely moving mice

Neuronal activation patterns in the piriform cortex (PC) represent the identity of an odor within a single session of experience; however, this coding scheme is less consistent over longer periods of time. Work in other sensory systems has demonstrated a role for behavior in shaping the reliability of stimulus representations, but this possibility has not been fully explored in the PC. We, therefore, recorded chronically from PC neurons in freely moving mice using micro-endoscopic calcium imaging during sequential days of odor experience. Despite substantial background activity evoked by the freely moving state, odor representations were found in PC activity. Notably though, changes in response features and representational consistency over sessions correlated with investigation behavior from the animal. Overall, our data demonstrates shifts in PC odor representation over time, but also supports a role for behavioral modulation of overall PC activity and representational consistency.