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

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 dynami...

在持续变化的环境中，行为经验与行为灵活性对于生物生存至关重要。尽管在动态变化的感官环境中，进化压力推动生物演化出适应性行为策略，但相关的底层神经关联机制尚未得到充分探究。本研究采用基因编码电压成像技术，对小鼠在感官学习与行为适应过程中的初级躯体感觉皮层（primary somatosensory cortex, S1）信号进行检测。当刺激统计特征发生变化时，小鼠会采取一种策略，以情境依赖的方式调整其检测行为，从而维持奖励预期。令人意外的是，小鼠S1脑区的神经元活动会以经验依赖的方式发生转变：从单纯表征刺激属性，转变为转导适应性行为所需的信号。本研究结果表明，小鼠S1脑区的神经元信号属于适应性调控框架的一部分，该框架可在个体获得经验后促进灵活行为的产生，这或许属于一种通用动态调控机制的组成部分……