data formatted for use with matlab code

Perception can be refined by experience up to certain limits. It is unclear if perceptual limitations are absolute or could be partially overcome via enhanced neuromodulation and/or plasticity. Recent studies suggest the utility of peripheral nerve stimulation - specifically vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) - for altering neural activity and augmenting experience-dependent plasticity, although little is known about central mechanisms recruited by VNS. Here we developed an auditory discrimination task for mice implanted with a VNS electrode. VNS occurring during behavior gradually improved discrimination abilities beyond the level achieved by training alone. Using two-photon imaging, we identified changes to auditory cortical responses and activation of cortically-projecting cholinergic axons with VNS. Anatomical and optogenetic experiments indicated that VNS could enhance task performance via activation of the central cholinergic system. These results highlight the importance of cholinergic modulation for the efficacy of VNS, perhaps enabling further refinement of VNS methodology for clinical conditions.

感知能力可通过经验在一定限度内得到优化。目前尚不明确感知局限是绝对存在的，还是可通过强化神经调节与/或神经可塑性得到部分克服。近期研究显示，外周神经刺激（peripheral nerve stimulation）——尤其是迷走神经刺激（vagus nerve stimulation, VNS）——在改变神经活动、增强经验依赖性可塑性方面具有应用价值，但目前对于迷走神经刺激所募集的中枢机制仍知之甚少。本研究为植入了迷走神经刺激电极的小鼠搭建了一套听觉辨别任务范式。任务执行过程中伴随的迷走神经刺激，可逐步提升小鼠的辨别能力，使其超越单纯训练所能达到的水平。借助双光子成像（two-photon imaging）技术，我们观察到迷走神经刺激可改变听觉皮层反应，并激活向皮层投射的胆碱能轴突。解剖学实验与光遗传学（optogenetics）实验表明，迷走神经刺激可通过激活中枢胆碱能系统来提升任务表现。本研究结果凸显了胆碱能调节对迷走神经刺激疗效的重要性，或可为进一步优化针对临床病症的迷走神经刺激方法提供思路。