A simple model of cortical dynamics explains variability and state dependence of sensory responses in urethane-anesthetized auditory cortex.
The responses of neocortical cells to sensory stimuli are variable and state dependent. It has been hypothesized that intrinsic cortical dynamics play an important role in trial-to-trial variability; the precise nature of this dependence, however, is poorly understood. We show here that in auditory cortex of urethane-anesthetized rats, population responses to click stimuli can be quantitatively predicted on a trial-by-trial basis by a simple dynamical system model estimated from spontaneous activity immediately preceding stimulus presentation. Changes in cortical state correspond consistently to changes in model dynamics, reflecting a nonlinear, self-exciting system in synchronized states and an approximately linear system in desynchronized states. We propose that the complex and state-dependent pattern of trial-to-trial variability can be explained by a simple principle: sensory responses are shaped by the same intrinsic dynamics that govern ongoing spontaneous activity.
Curto
Carina
C
Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
Sakata
Shuzo
S
Marguet
Stephan
S
Itskov
Vladimir
V
Harris
Kenneth D
KD
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D045042:Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014520:Urethane / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D014520:Urethane