Cortical Membrane Potential Signature of Optimal States for Sensory Signal Detection.

ABSTRACT: The neural correlates of optimal states for signal detection task performance are largely unknown. One hypothesis holds that optimal states exhibit tonically depolarized cortical neurons with enhanced spiking activity, such as occur during movement. We recorded membrane potentials of auditory cortical neurons in mice trained on a challenging tone-in-noise detection task while assessing arousal with simultaneous pupillometry and hippocampal recordings. Arousal measures accurately predicted multiple modes of membrane potential activity, including rhythmic slow oscillations at low arousal, stable hyperpolarization at intermediate arousal, and depolarization during phasic or tonic periods of hyper-arousal. Walking always occurred during hyper-arousal. Optimal signal detection behavior and soun

SUBMITTER: McGinley MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4631312 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature