Distributed coding of choice, action and engagement across the mouse brain.

ABSTRACT: Vision, choice, action and behavioural engagement arise from neuronal activity that may be distributed across brain regions. Here we delineate the spatial distribution of neurons underlying these processes. We used Neuropixels probes^1,2 to record from approximately 30,000 neurons in 42 brain regions of mice performing a visual discrimination task³. Neurons in nearly all regions responded non-specifically when the mouse initiated an action. By contrast, neurons encoding visual stimuli and upcoming choices occupied restricted regions in the neocortex, basal ganglia and midbrain. Choice signals were rare and emerged with indistinguishable timing across regions. Midbrain neurons were activated before contralateral choices and were suppressed before ipsilateral choices, wh

SUBMITTER: Steinmetz NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6913580 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature