Adapting non-invasive human recordings along multiple task-axes shows unfolding of spontaneous and over-trained choice

Elife. 2021 May 11:10:e60988. doi: 10.7554/eLife.60988.

Abstract

Choices rely on a transformation of sensory inputs into motor responses. Using invasive single neuron recordings, the evolution of a choice process has been tracked by projecting population neural responses into state spaces. Here, we develop an approach that allows us to recover similar trajectories on a millisecond timescale in non-invasive human recordings. We selectively suppress activity related to three task-axes, relevant and irrelevant sensory inputs and response direction, in magnetoencephalography data acquired during context-dependent choices. Recordings from premotor cortex show a progression from processing sensory input to processing the response. In contrast to previous macaque recordings, information related to choice-irrelevant features is represented more weakly than choice-relevant sensory information. To test whether this mechanistic difference between species is caused by extensive over-training common in non-human primate studies, we trained humans on >20,000 trials of the task. Choice-irrelevant features were still weaker than relevant features in premotor cortex after over-training.

Keywords: human; magnetoencephalography; neural population trajectory; neuroscience; repetition suppression; top-down attention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognition
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Neurons
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Young Adult