Author： Tsujimoto Satoshi Genovesio Aldo Wise Steven P.
Publisher： Oxford University Press
ISSN： 1460-2199
Source： Cerebral Cortex, Vol.18, Iss.12, 2008-12, pp. : 2748-2761
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Abstract
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 PP 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 FF pairs usually preferred the same goal and thus shared both prospective coding and spatial tuning properties. In contrast, cells composing FP 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.
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