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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of neuroscience 2009-08, Vol.29 (34), p.10600-10612
Main Authors: Curto, Carina, Sakata, Shuzo, Marguet, Stephan, Itskov, Vladimir, Harris, Kenneth D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustic Stimulation - methods
Anesthetics, Intravenous - pharmacology
Animals
Auditory Cortex - cytology
Auditory Cortex - drug effects
Auditory Cortex - physiology
Electric Stimulation - methods
Evoked Potentials, Auditory - physiology
Models, Neurological
Neural Pathways - physiology
Neurons - drug effects
Neurons - physiology
Nonlinear Dynamics
Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus - physiology
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Urethane - pharmacology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0270-6474
1529-2401
DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2053-09.2009