Specialized structure of neural population codes in parietal cortex outputs

TY - JOUR

T1 - Specialized structure of neural population codes in parietal cortex outputs

AU - Safaai, Houman

AU - Wang, Alice Y

AU - Kira, Shinichiro

AU - Malerba, Simone Blanco

AU - Panzeri, Stefano

AU - Harvey, Christopher D

PY - 2023/8/26

Y1 - 2023/8/26

N2 - Do cortical neurons that send axonal projections to the same target area form specialized population codes for transmitting information? We used calcium imaging in mouse posterior parietal cortex (PPC), retrograde labeling, and statistical multivariate models to address this question during a delayed match-to-sample task. We found that PPC broadcasts sensory, choice, and locomotion signals widely, but sensory information is enriched in the output to anterior cingulate cortex. Neurons projecting to the same area have elevated pairwise activity correlations. These correlations are structured as information-limiting and information-enhancing interaction networks that collectively enhance information levels. This network structure is unique to sub-populations projecting to the same target and strikingly absent in surrounding neural populations with unidentified projections. Furthermore, this structure is only present when mice make correct, but not incorrect, behavioral choices. Therefore, cortical neurons comprising an output pathway form uniquely structured population codes that enhance information transmission to guide accurate behavior.

AB - Do cortical neurons that send axonal projections to the same target area form specialized population codes for transmitting information? We used calcium imaging in mouse posterior parietal cortex (PPC), retrograde labeling, and statistical multivariate models to address this question during a delayed match-to-sample task. We found that PPC broadcasts sensory, choice, and locomotion signals widely, but sensory information is enriched in the output to anterior cingulate cortex. Neurons projecting to the same area have elevated pairwise activity correlations. These correlations are structured as information-limiting and information-enhancing interaction networks that collectively enhance information levels. This network structure is unique to sub-populations projecting to the same target and strikingly absent in surrounding neural populations with unidentified projections. Furthermore, this structure is only present when mice make correct, but not incorrect, behavioral choices. Therefore, cortical neurons comprising an output pathway form uniquely structured population codes that enhance information transmission to guide accurate behavior.

U2 - 10.1101/2023.08.24.554635

DO - 10.1101/2023.08.24.554635

M3 - Preprint

C2 - 37662297

JO - bioRxiv

JF - bioRxiv

SN - 2692-8205

ER -