The ability to briefly retain visual information is fundamental to successfully executing visually guided behaviors. This is a renewal application to study the circuitry underlying the active maintenance of sensory representation, i.e. sensory working memory. The overriding goal is to provide a link between cortical areas traditionally associated with processing of visual motion and regions identified with working memory and cognitive control of visually guided behaviors. We will focus on cortical areas MT and MST, important for motion processing, and on prefrontal cortex (RFC) strongly associated with working memory and cognitive control. Our recent work revealed that during the performance of a memory for visual motion task, MT neurons carry memory-related signals and are affected by the demands of the behavioral task. Recordings from PFC also revealed memory related activity and of activity strongly modulated by the behavioral state of the animal. Furthermore, they revealed responses selective for visual motion, similar to those characteristic of neurons in areas MT &MST. The presence of memory signals and the similarity of sensory responses in motion processing areas and in PFC during the same behavioral task suggests a potential functional link between these 2 regions and their participation in the circuitry sub-serving the ability to remember visual motion. During the next grant period we will examine the nature of recently discovered memory-related directional motion signals in areas MT (Aim 1.1), MST (Aim 1.2) and PFC (Aim 2). We will also focus on the interactions between the 2 regions by determining whether PFC is a source of memory signals and modulation by task demands, recorded in MT and MST (Aim 3). For all experiments, we will use a task in which the monkeys compare the directions of 2 moving stimuli separated by memory delay. We will combine recordings of activity of single neurons and local field potentials, microstimulation and reversible inactivation with psychophysical measures of visual working memory. These studies will shed light on the involvement of neurons in PFC and in cortical areas processing sensory signals used in working memory and the way they coordinate their activity to support successful execution of memory tasks. The knowledge of the neural circuitry underlying short-term storage of sensory information will contribute to the understanding and treatment of diseases characterized by working memory impairments, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Schizophrenia.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY011749-14
Application #
7879244
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-A (03))
Program Officer
Steinmetz, Michael A
Project Start
1997-03-01
Project End
2012-04-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2012-04-30
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$374,904
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
041294109
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
Wimmer, Klaus; Ramon, Marc; Pasternak, Tatiana et al. (2016) Transitions between Multiband Oscillatory Patterns Characterize Memory-Guided Perceptual Decisions in Prefrontal Circuits. J Neurosci 36:489-505
Wimmer, Klaus; Spinelli, Philip; Pasternak, Tatiana (2016) Prefrontal Neurons Represent Motion Signals from Across the Visual Field But for Memory-Guided Comparisons Depend on Neurons Providing These Signals. J Neurosci 36:9351-64
Pasternak, Tatiana; Lui, Leo L; Spinelli, Philip M (2015) Unilateral prefrontal lesions impair memory-guided comparisons of contralateral visual motion. J Neurosci 35:7095-105
Murray, John D; Bernacchia, Alberto; Freedman, David J et al. (2014) A hierarchy of intrinsic timescales across primate cortex. Nat Neurosci 17:1661-3
Dieter, Kevin C; Hu, Bo; Knill, David C et al. (2014) Kinesthesis can make an invisible hand visible. Psychol Sci 25:66-75
Hayden, Benjamin; Pasternak, Tatiana (2013) Linking neural activity to complex decisions. Vis Neurosci 30:331-42
Hussar, Cory R; Pasternak, Tatiana (2013) Common rules guide comparisons of speed and direction of motion in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. J Neurosci 33:972-86
Hussar, Cory R; Pasternak, Tatiana (2012) Memory-guided sensory comparisons in the prefrontal cortex: contribution of putative pyramidal cells and interneurons. J Neurosci 32:2747-61
Lui, Leo L; Pasternak, Tatiana (2011) Representation of comparison signals in cortical area MT during a delayed direction discrimination task. J Neurophysiol 106:1260-73
Hussar, Cory; Pasternak, Tatiana (2010) Trial-to-trial variability of the prefrontal neurons reveals the nature of their engagement in a motion discrimination task. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:21842-7

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