Neuronal activation sequences in lateral prefrontal cortex encode visuospatial working memory during virtual navigation

Alexandra Busch, Megan Roussy, Rogelio Luna, Matthew L. Leavitt, Maryam H. Mofrad, Roberto A. Gulli, Benjamin Corrigan, Ján Mináč, Adam J. Sachs, Lena Palaniyappan, Lyle Muller () and Julio C. Martinez-Trujillo ()
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Alexandra Busch: University of Western Ontario
Megan Roussy: University of Western Ontario
Rogelio Luna: University of Western Ontario
Matthew L. Leavitt: MosaicML
Maryam H. Mofrad: University of Western Ontario
Roberto A. Gulli: Columbia University
Benjamin Corrigan: University of Western Ontario
Ján Mináč: University of Western Ontario
Adam J. Sachs: University of Ottawa
Lena Palaniyappan: University of Western Ontario
Lyle Muller: University of Western Ontario
Julio C. Martinez-Trujillo: University of Western Ontario

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Working memory (WM) is the ability to maintain and manipulate information ‘in mind’. The neural codes underlying WM have been a matter of debate. We simultaneously recorded the activity of hundreds of neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex of male macaque monkeys during a visuospatial WM task that required navigation in a virtual 3D environment. Here, we demonstrate distinct neuronal activation sequences (NASs) that encode remembered target locations in the virtual environment. This NAS code outperformed the persistent firing code for remembered locations during the virtual reality task, but not during a classical WM task using stationary stimuli and constraining eye movements. Finally, blocking NMDA receptors using low doses of ketamine deteriorated the NAS code and behavioral performance selectively during the WM task. These results reveal the versatility and adaptability of neural codes supporting working memory function in the primate lateral prefrontal cortex.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48664-9

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