A cerebellar adaptation to uncertain inputs.

ABSTRACT: Noise and variability are inherent and unavoidable features of neural processing. Despite this physiological challenge, brain systems function well, suggesting the existence of adaptations that cope with noise. We report a novel adaptation that the cerebellum implements to maintain correct responses in the face of ambiguous inputs. We found that under these conditions, the cerebellum used a probabilistic binary choice: Although the probability of behavioral response gradually increased or decreased depending on the degree of similarity between current and trained inputs, the size of response remained constant. That way the cerebellum kept responses adaptive to trained input corrupted by noise while minimizing false responses to novel stimuli. Recordings and analysis of Purkinje cells activ

SUBMITTER: Khilkevich A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5976265 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature