Data from: Frontal noradrenergic and cholinergic transients exhibit distinct spatiotemporal dynamics during competitive decision-making

Norepinephrine (NE) and acetylcholine (ACh) are crucial for learning and
decision-making. In the cortex, NE and ACh are released transiently at
specific sites along neuromodulatory axons, but how the spatiotemporal
patterns of NE and ACh signaling link to behavioral events is unknown.
Here, we use two-photon microscopy to visualize neuromodulatory signals in
the premotor cortex (medial M2) as mice engage in a competitive matching
pennies game. Spatially, NE signals are more segregated with choice and
outcome encoded at distinct locations, whereas ACh signals can multiplex
and reflect different behavioral correlates at the same site. Temporally,
task-driven NE transients were more synchronized and peaked earlier than
ACh transients. To test functional relevance, we stimulated
neuromodulatory signals using optogenetics to find that NE, but not ACh,
increases the animals’ propensity to explore alternate options.
Altogether, the results reveal distinct subcellular spatiotemporal
patterns of ACh and NE transients during decision-making in mice.