Emerging experience-dependent dynamics in primary somatosensory cortex reflect behavioral adaptation

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 534
• Main Authors: Waiblinger, Christian, McDonnell, Megan E., Reedy, April R., Borden, Peter Y., Stanley, Garrett B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 27.01.2022; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 14/35; 631/378/2649/1723; 631/378/3917; 64/60; Adaptation; Adaptation, Psychological - physiology; Animals; Behavior; Brain; Changing environments; Environmental changes; Genetic code; Humanities and Social Sciences; Learning; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; multidisciplinary; Neuroimaging; Neurons - physiology; Perception; Reinforcement; Reward; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Somatosensory cortex; Somatosensory Cortex - pathology; Somatosensory Cortex - physiology
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28193-z

Behavioral experience and flexibility are crucial for survival in a constantly changing environment. Despite evolutionary pressures to develop adaptive behavioral strategies in a dynamically changing sensory landscape, the underlying neural correlates have not been well explored. Here, we use genetically encoded voltage imaging to measure signals in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) during sensory learning and behavioral adaptation in the mouse. In response to changing stimulus statistics, mice adopt a strategy that modifies their detection behavior in a context dependent manner as to maintain reward expectation. Surprisingly, neuronal activity in S1 shifts from simply representing stimulus properties to transducing signals necessary for adaptive behavior in an experience dependent manner. Our results suggest that neuronal signals in S1 are part of an adaptive framework that facilitates flexible behavior as individuals gain experience, which could be part of a general scheme that dynamically distributes the neural correlates of behavior during learning. Waiblinger et al. investigate the role of primary sensory cortex in flexible behaviors. They show that neuronal signals in S1 are part of an adaptive and dynamic framework that facilitates flexible behavior as an individual gains experience, indicating a role for S1 in long-term adaptive strategies.