Transient neuronal correlations underlying goal selection and maintenance in prefrontal cortex.
We reported previously that as monkeys used abstract response strategies to choose spatial goals, 1 population of prefrontal cortex neurons encoded future goals (F cells), whereas a largely separate population encoded previous goals (P cells). Here, to better understand the mechanisms of goal selection and maintenance, we studied correlated activity among pairs of these neurons. Among the 3 possible types of pairs, F-F and F-P pairs often exhibited significant correlations when and after monkeys selected future goals but P-P pairs rarely did. These correlations were stronger when monkeys shifted from a previous goal than when they stayed with that goal. In addition, members of F-F pairs usually preferred the same goal and thus shared both prospective coding and spatial tuning properties. In contrast, cells composing F-P pairs usually had different spatial preferences and thus shared neither coding nor spatial tuning properties. On the assumption that the neurons composing a pair send convergent outputs to target neurons, their correlated activity could enhance their efficacy in context-dependent goal selection, goal maintenance, and the transformation of goal choices into action.
Tsujimoto
Satoshi
S
Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Building 49, Room B1EE17, 49 Convent Drive, MSC 4401, Bethesda, MD 20892-4401, USA. tsujimotos@mail.nih.gov
Genovesio
Aldo
A
Wise
Steven P
SP
D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention; D001519:Behavior; D001863:Bone Screws; D003399:Craniotomy; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009042:Motivation; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D012106:Research / Q000592:standards; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology; D014741:Video Recording