Presentation Details
| Taking a Hint: Stimulus Investigation Shapes Taste Representation in Gustatory Cortex Martin A.Raymond, Jian-You Lin, Donald B.Katz. Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA |
Abstract
Taste processing in Gustatory Cortex (GC) is dynamic, with neural taste responses passing through a series of characteristic coding states, but to observe these states effectively requires the high temporal resolution of electrophysiology. This functional requirement has previously necessitated either that rodents be head-fixed or that taste stimuli be delivered via intraoral cannula directly into the mouth, or both. However, the voluntary oromotor action of licking creates an immediate discontinuity in the physical dynamics of a stimulus encountered during free licking and stimuli delivered by IOC. As such, it is unclear whether the “dynamic model” of taste processing generalizes to responses evoked by the active licking of a freely-moving animal. An additional factor may prove even more consequential: stimulus investigation. Incidental olfactory cues available to freely-moving animals are likely to substantially alter dynamic responses in GC, allowing animals to identify stimuli and plan action before tasting the stimulus. In order to addesss both of these questions, we used a novel behavioral apparatus with controlled ventilation to facilitate electrophysiological recording during freely-moving licking while modifying the availability of olfactory cues. We were able to observe the anticipated dynamic responses in GC, though we found that allowing olfactory investigation of the stimuli altered the timing of those dynamics, aligning them with that cue investigation rather than taste onset. Additionally, we found that this shift was reversed by the removal of the olfactory cue.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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