Network influence determines the impact of cortical ensembles on stimulus detection.

ABSTRACT: Observation of neural firing patterns can constrain theories for the types of activity patterns that the brain uses to guide behavior. However, directly perturbing these patterns, ideally with great specificity, is required to causally test any particular theory. We combined two-photon imaging and cellular resolution optogenetic photo-stimulation to causally test how neural activity in the mouse visual cortex is read out to detect visual stimuli. Contrary to expectations, targeted activation of highly sensitive neural ensembles did not preferentially modify behavior compared to random ensembles, contradicting a longstanding hypothesis for how neural activity drives stimulus detection. Instead, the main predictor of a targeted neural ensemble's impact on perception was its effect on network

SUBMITTER: Bounds HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11370385 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature