Information for decision-making and stimulus identification is multiplexed in sensory cortex

Nat Neurosci. 2013 Aug;16(8):991-3. doi: 10.1038/nn.3432. Epub 2013 Jun 23.

Abstract

In recordings from anterior piriform cortex in awake behaving mice, we found that neuronal firing early in the olfactory pathway simultaneously conveyed fundamentally different information: odor value (is the odor rewarded?) and identity (what is the smell?). Thus, this sensory system performs early multiplexing of information reflecting stimulus-specific characteristics with that used for decision-making.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Decision Making / physiology
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Odorants*
  • Olfactory Bulb / physiology
  • Olfactory Pathways / physiology*
  • Olfactory Perception / physiology*
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology*
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Reward