Global and local neuronal coding of tactile information in the barrel cortex.

ABSTRACT: During tactile sensation in rodents, the whisker movements across surfaces give rise to intricate whisker motions that encompass discrete and transient stick-slip events, effectively conveying valuable information regarding surface properties. These surface characteristics are transformed into cortical neuronal responses. This study examined the coding strategies underlying these transformations in rat whiskers. We found that changes in surface coarseness modified the number and magnitude of stick-slip events, which in turn both modulated properties of neuronal responses. Global changes in the number of stick-slip events primarily affected neuronal discharge rates and the degree of neuronal synchronization. In contrast, local changes in the magnitude of stick-slip events affected the trans

SUBMITTER: Sharma H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10796699 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature