Contributions of Primate Prefrontal and Posterior Parietal Cortices to Length and Numerosity Representation

2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 2984-2994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oana Tudusciuc ◽  
Andreas Nieder
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Line Length ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Match To Sample ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Frontoparietal Network ◽  
Continuous Quantities ◽  
Characteristic Area ◽  
Parietal Cortices

The ability to understand and manipulate quantities ensures the survival of animals and humans alike. The frontoparietal network in primates has been implicated in representing, along with other cognitive abilities, abstract quantity. The respective roles of the prefrontal and parietal areas and the way continuous quantities, as opposed to discrete ones, are represented in this network, however, are unknown. We investigated this issue by simultaneously analyzing recorded single-unit activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the fundus of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) of two macaque monkeys while they were engaged in delayed match-to-sample tasks discriminating line length and numerosity. In both areas, we found anatomically intermingled neurons encoding either length, numerosity, or both types of quantities. Even though different sets of neurons coded these quantities, the representation of length and numerosity was similar within the IPS and PFC. Both length and numerosity were coded by tuning functions peaking at the preferred quantity, thus supporting a labeled-line code for continuous and discrete quantity. A comparison of the response characteristics between parietal and frontal areas revealed a larger proportion of IPS neurons representing each quantity type in the early sample phase, in addition to shorter response latencies to quantity for IPS neurons. Moreover, IPS neurons discriminated quantities during the sample phase better than PFC neurons, as quantified by the receiver operating characteristic area. In the memory period, the discharge properties of PFC and IPS neurons were comparable. These single-cell results are in good agreement with functional imaging data from humans and support the notion that representations of continuous and discrete quantities share a frontoparietal substrate, with IPS neurons constituting the putative entry stage of the processing hierarchy.

scholarly journals Topographical functional correlates of interindividual differences in executive functions in young healthy twins

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianna Menardi ◽  
Andrew E. Reineberg ◽  
Louisa L. Smith ◽  
Chiara Favaretto ◽  
Antonino Vallesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Interindividual Differences ◽  
Frontoparietal Network ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Brain States ◽  
Cortical Involvement ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Goal Directed Behavior

AbstractExecutive functions (EF) are a set of higher-order cognitive abilities that enable goal-directed behavior by controlling lower-level operations. In the brain, those functions have been traditionally associated with activity in the Frontoparietal Network, but recent neuroimaging studies have challenged this view in favor of more widespread cortical involvement. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether the network that serves as critical hubs at rest, which we term network reliance, differentiate individuals as a function of their level of EF. Furthermore, we investigated whether such differences are driven by genetic as compared to environmental factors. For this purpose, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data and the behavioral testing of 453 twins from the Colorado Longitudinal Twins Study were analyzed. Separate indices of EF performance were obtained according to a bifactor unity/diversity model, distinguishing between three independent components representing: Common EF, Shifting-specific and Updating-specific abilities. Through an approach of step-wise in silico network lesioning of the individual functional connectome, we show that interindividual differences in EF are associated with different dependencies on neural networks at rest. Furthermore, these patterns show evidence of mild heritability. Such findings add knowledge to the understanding of brain states at rest and their connection with human behavior, and how they might be shaped by genetic influences.

scholarly journals Widespread changes in firing rate and functional connectivity across the fronto-parietal network during rule guided working memory

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
RF Salazar
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Rule Based ◽  
Match To Sample ◽  
Frontoparietal Network ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Posterior Parietal ◽  
Matching Rules ◽  
Parietal Cortices

ABSTRACTFlexible rule-based behavior is an integral component of our daily lives. Rule dependent changes in the activity and functional connectivity of neurons in the frontoparietal network may underlie this flexibility. To test this idea, we simultaneously recorded neural activity from multiple areas in prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices of macaque monkeys while they performed a delayed match-to-sample task involving a non-instructed switch between location and identity matching rules. Our analysis revealed rule-dependent differences in firing rates during all phases of the task and marked task-dependent increases in spike count correlations with only weak differences between rules. These effects were widespread with a high incidence occurring within and between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the lateral intraparietal area and area PG. We conclude that rule based visual working memory is associated with widespread modifications in excitability and functional connectivity across the frontoparietal network.

Analog Numerical Representations in Rhesus Monkeys: Evidence for Parallel Processing

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 889-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Nieder ◽  
Earl K. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Neuronal Response ◽  
Weber Fraction ◽  
Discrimination Performance ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Numerosity Discrimination ◽  
Numerical Information ◽  
Match To Sample ◽  
Numerical Representations

Monkeys have been introduced as model organisms to study neural correlates of numerical competence, but many of the behavioral characteristics of numerical judgments remain speculative. Thus, we analyzed the behavioral performance of two rhesus monkeys judging the numerosities 1 to 7 during a delayed match-to-sample task. The monkeys showed similar discrimination performance irrespective of the exact physical appearance of the stimuli, confirming that performance was based on numerical information. Performance declined smoothly with larger numerosities, and reached discrimination threshold at numerosity “4.” The nonverbal numerical representations in monkeys were based on analog magnitudes, object tracking process (“subitizing”) could not account for the findings because the continuum of small and large numbers shows a clear Weber fraction signature. The lack of additional scanning eye movements with increasing set sizes, together with indistinguishable neuronal response latencies for neurons with different preferred numerosities, argues for parallel encoding of numerical information. The slight but significant increase in reaction time with increasing numerosities can be explained by task difficulty and consequently time-consuming decision processes. The behavioral results are compared to single-cell recordings from the prefrontal cortex in the same subjects. Models for numerosity discrimination that may account for these results are discussed.

Leading Inhibition to Neural Oscillation Is Important for Time-Domain Processing in the Auditory Midbrain

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 314-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander V. Galazyuk ◽  
Wenyu Lin ◽  
Daniel Llano ◽  
Albert S. Feng
Keyword(s):  
Time Domain ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Auditory Midbrain ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Discharge Patterns ◽  
Central Auditory Neurons

A number of central auditory neurons exhibit paradoxical latency shift (PLS), a response characterized by longer response latencies at higher sound levels. PLS neurons are known to play a role in target ranging for echolocating bats that emit frequency-modulated sounds. We recently reported that early inhibition of unit’s oscillatory discharges is critical for PLS in the inferior colliculus (IC) of little brown bats. The goal of this study was to determine in echolocating bats and in nonecholocating animals (frogs): 1) the detailed characteristics of PLS and whether PLS was dependent on sound level, frequency, and duration; 2) the time course of inhibition underlying PLS using a paired-pulse paradigm. We found that 22% of IC neurons in bats and 15% in frogs exhibited periodic discharge patterns in response to tone pulses at high sound levels. The firing periodicity was unit specific and independent of sound level and duration. Other IC neurons (28% in bats; 14% in frogs) exhibited PLS. These PLS neurons shared several response characteristics: 1) PLS was largely independent of sound frequency and 2) the magnitude of shift in first-spike latency was either duration dependent or duration tolerant. For PLS neurons, application of bicuculline abolished PLS and unmasked the unit’s periodical firing pattern that served as the building block for PLS. In response to paired sound pulses, PLS neurons exhibited delay-dependent response suppression, confirming that high-threshold leading inhibition was responsible for PLS. Results also revealed the timing of excitatory and inhibitory inputs underlying PLS and its role in time-domain processing.

scholarly journals Thalamocortical Anatomical Connectivity in Schizophrenia and Psychotic Bipolar Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1062-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia M Sheffield ◽  
Anna S Huang ◽  
Baxter P Rogers ◽  
Monica Giraldo-Chica ◽  
Bennett A Landman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Anatomical Connectivity ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Psychotic Bipolar Disorder

Abstract Background Anatomical connectivity between the thalamus and cortex, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), is abnormal in schizophrenia. Overlapping phenotypes, including deficits in executive cognitive abilities dependent on PFC-thalamic circuitry, suggest dysrupted thalamocortical anatomical connectivity may extend to psychotic bipolar disorder. We tested this hypothesis and examined the impact of illness stage to inform when in the illness course thalamocortical dysconnectivity emerges. Methods Diffusion-weighted imaging data were collected on 70 healthy individuals and 124 people with a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia spectrum = 75; psychotic bipolar disorder = 49), including 62 individuals in the early stage of psychosis. Anatomical connectivity between major divisions of the cortex and thalamus was quantified using probabilistic tractography and compared between groups. Associations between PFC-thalamic anatomical connectivity and executive cognitive abilities were examined using regression analysis. Results Psychosis was associated with lower PFC-thalamic and elevated somatosensory-thalamic anatomical connectivity. Follow-up analyses established that lower PFC-thalamic and elevated somatosensory-thalamic anatomical connectivity were present in both schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder. Lower PFC-thalamic anatomical connectivity was also present in early-stage and chronic psychosis. Contrary to expectations, lower PFC-thalamic anatomical connectivity was not associated with impaired executive cognitive abilities. Conclusions Altered thalamocortical anatomical connectivity, especially reduced PFC-thalamic connectivity, is a transdiagnostic feature of psychosis detectable in the early stage of illness. Further work is required to elucidate the functional consequences of the full spectrum of thalamocortical connectivity abnormalities in psychosis.

scholarly journals The altered right frontoparietal network functional connectivity in migraine and the modulation effect of treatment

Cephalalgia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengjie Li ◽  
Lei Lan ◽  
Fang Zeng ◽  
Nikos Makris ◽  
Jiwon Hwang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽  
Frontoparietal Network ◽  
Coping Process

Aims This study aims to investigate the resting-state functional connectivity (rs-fc) of the right frontoparietal network (rFPN) between migraineurs and healthy controls (HCs) in order to determine how the rFPN rs-fc can be modulated by effective treatment. Methods One hundred patients and 46 matched HCs were recruited. Migraineurs were randomized to verum acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and waiting list groups. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before and after longitudinal treatments. Independent component analysis was applied in the data analysis. Results We found that migraineurs showed decreased rs-fc between the rFPN and bilateral precuneus compared with HCs. After treatments (real and sham), rFPN rs-fc with the precuneus was significantly reduced. This reduction was associated with headache intensity relief. In order to explore the role of the precuneus in acupuncture modulation, we performed a seed-based rs-fc analysis using the precuneus as a seed and found that the precuneus rs-fc with the bilateral rostral anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was significantly enhanced after treatment. Conclusion Our results suggest that migraineurs are associated with abnormal rFPN rs-fc. An effective treatment, such as acupuncture, may relieve symptoms by strengthening the cognitive adaptation/coping process. Elucidation of the adaptation/coping mechanisms may open up a new window for migraine management.

Neuronal activation times to simple, complex, and natural sounds in cat primary and nonprimary auditory cortex

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 1166-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Carrasco ◽  
Stephen G. Lomber
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Auditory Cortex ◽  
Neuronal Response ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Acoustic Signals ◽  
Directional Pattern ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Neuronal Activation ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Response Characteristics

Interactions between living organisms and the environment are commonly regulated by accurate and timely processing of sensory signals. Hence, behavioral response engagement by an organism is typically constrained by the arrival time of sensory information to the brain. While psychophysical response latencies to acoustic information have been investigated, little is known about how variations in neuronal response time relate to sensory signal characteristics. Consequently, the primary objective of the present investigation was to determine the pattern of neuronal activation induced by simple (pure tones), complex (noise bursts and frequency modulated sweeps), and natural (conspecific vocalizations) acoustic signals of different durations in cat auditory cortex. Our analysis revealed three major cortical response characteristics. First, latency measures systematically increase in an antero-dorsal to postero-ventral direction among regions of auditory cortex. Second, complex acoustic stimuli reliably provoke faster neuronal response engagement than simple stimuli. Third, variations in neuronal response time induced by changes in stimulus duration are dependent on acoustic spectral features. Collectively, these results demonstrate that acoustic signals, regardless of complexity, induce a directional pattern of activation in auditory cortex.

scholarly journals Continuous versus discrete quantity discrimination in dune snail (Mollusca: Gastropoda) seeking thermal refuges

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Bisazza ◽  
Elia Gatto
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Numerical Information ◽  
Sparse Vegetation ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Theba Pisana ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Continuous Quantities ◽  
Harsh Habitat

AbstractThe ability of invertebrates to discriminate quantities is poorly studied, and it is unknown whether other phyla possess the same richness and sophistication of quantification mechanisms observed in vertebrates. The dune snail, Theba pisana, occupies a harsh habitat characterised by sparse vegetation and diurnal soil temperatures well above the thermal tolerance of this species. To survive, a snail must locate and climb one of the rare tall herbs each dawn and spend the daytime hours in an elevated refuge position. Based on their ecology, we predicted that dune snails would prefer larger to smaller groups of refuges. We simulated shelter choice under controlled laboratory conditions. Snails’ acuity in discriminating quantity of shelters was comparable to that of mammals and birds, reaching the 4 versus 5 item discrimination, suggesting that natural selection could drive the evolution of advanced cognitive abilities even in small-brained animals if these functions have a high survival value. In a subsequent series of experiments, we investigated whether snails used numerical information or based their decisions upon continuous quantities, such as cumulative surface, density or convex hull, which co-varies with number. Though our results tend to underplay the role of these continuous cues, behavioural data alone are insufficient to determine if dune snails were using numerical information, leaving open the question of whether gastropod molluscans possess elementary abilities for numerical processing.

scholarly journals Prism adaptation modulates connectivity of the intraparietal sulcus with multiple brain networks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene Schintu ◽  
Michael Freedberg ◽  
Stephen J. Gotts ◽  
Catherine A. Cunningham ◽  
Zaynah M. Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Prism Adaptation ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽  
Frontoparietal Network ◽  
Interhemispheric Competition ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
The Right ◽  
Parietal Cortices

ABSTRACTPrism adaptation (PA) alters spatial cognition according to the direction of visual displacement by temporarily modifying sensorimotor mapping. Right-shifting prisms (right PA) improve neglect of left space in patients, possibly by decreasing activity in the left hemisphere and increasing it in the right. Left PA shifts attention to the right in healthy individuals by an opposite mechanism. However, functional imaging studies of PA are inconsistent, perhaps because of differing activation tasks. We measured resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in healthy individuals before and after PA. Right, vs. left, PA decreased RSFC in the navigation network defined by the right posterior parietal cortices (PPCs), hippocampus, and cerebellum. Right PA, relative to baseline, increased RSFC between regions within both PPCs and between the PPCs and the right middle frontal gyrus, whereas left PA decreased RSFC between these regions. These results show that right PA modulates connectivity within the right-hemisphere navigation network and shifts attention leftward by increasing connectivity in the right frontoparietal network and left PA produces essentially opposite effects, consistent with the interhemispheric competition model. These finding explain the action of PA on intact cognition and will help optimize interventions in neglect patients.

Auditory response properties of neurons in the putamen and globus pallidus of awake cats

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (10) ◽  
pp. 2124-2137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renjia Zhong ◽  
Ling Qin ◽  
Yu Sato
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Globus Pallidus ◽  
Afferent Input ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Natural Sounds ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Response Properties ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Auditory Response ◽  
Awake Cats

Several decades of research have provided evidence that the basal ganglia are closely involved in motor processes. Recent clinical, electrophysiological, behavioral data have revealed that the basal ganglia also receive afferent input from the auditory system, but the detailed auditory response characteristics have not yet reported. The present study aimed to reveal the acoustic response properties of neurons in parts of the basal ganglia. We recorded single-unit activities from the putamen (PU) and globus pallidus (GP) of awake cats passively listening to pure tones, click trains, and natural sounds. Our major findings were: 1) responses in both PU and GP neurons were elicited by pure-tone stimuli, whereas PU neurons had lower intensity thresholds, shorter response latencies, shorter excitatory duration, and larger response magnitudes than GP neurons. 2) Some GP neurons showed a suppressive response lasting throughout the stimulus period. 3) Both PU and GP did not follow periodically repeated click stimuli well, and most neurons only showed a phasic response at the stimulus onset and offset. 4) In response to natural sounds, PU also showed a stronger magnitude and shorter duration of excitatory response than GP. The selectivity for natural sounds was low in both nuclei. 5) Nonbiological environmental sounds more efficiently evoked responses in PU and GP than the vocalizations of conspecifics and other species. Our results provide insights into how acoustic signals are processed in the basal ganglia and revealed the distinction of PU and GP in sensory representation.

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