2022/08/12 by Julie J. Lee, Michael Krumin, Kenneth D. Harris +1 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Neuroscience · #Neural dynamics and brain function #Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research #Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2022.07.017
openalex publication_date 2022/08/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Parietal cortex is implicated in a variety of behavioral processes, but it is unknown whether and how its individual neurons participate in multiple tasks. We trained head-fixed mice to perform two visual decision tasks involving a steering wheel or a virtual T-maze and recorded from the same parietal neurons during these two tasks. Neurons that were active during the T-maze task were typically inactive during the steering-wheel task and vice versa. Recording from the same neurons in the same apparatus without task stimuli yielded the same specificity as in the task, suggesting that task specificity depends on physical context. To confirm this, we trained some mice in a third task combining the steering wheel context with the visual environment of the T-maze. This hybrid task engaged the same neurons as those engaged in the steering-wheel task. Thus, participation by neurons in mouse parietal cortex is task specific, and this specificity is determined by physical context.