Source data: Experience-driven development of decision-related representations in the auditory cortex

ABSTRACT: Experience-driven development of decision-related representations in the auditory cortex Itay Kazanovich1,2, Shir Itzhak1,2, Jennifer Resnik1,2* 1. Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel 2. Zelman Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel *Corresponding author: Jennifer Resnik, [e-mail] Abstract Associating sensory stimuli with behavioral significance induces substantial changes in stimulus representations. Recent studies suggest that primary sensory cortices not only adjust representations of task-relevant stimuli, but actively participate in encoding features of the decision-making process. We sought to determine whether this trait is innate in sensory cortices or if choice representation develops with time and experience. To trace the development of behavioral choice representation, we performed chronic two-photon calcium imaging in the primary auditory cortex of head-fixed mice while they gained experience in a tone detection task with a delayed decision window. Our results revealed a progressive increase in choice-dependent activity within a specific subpopulation of neurons, aligning with growing task familiarity and adapting to changing task rules. Furthermore, task experience correlated with heightened synchronized activity in these populations, especially during successful trials, along with a gradual improvement in the ability to differentiate between different types of behavioral decisions. Notably, the activity of this subpopulation accurately decoded the same action at different task phases. Our findings establish a dynamic restructuring of population activity in the auditory cortex to encode features of the decision-making process that develop over time and experience.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus (mouse)

SUBMITTER:  

PROVIDER: S-BSST1639 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other