Method for Mapping Neuron Clusters Developed

A team of scientists from NYU Center for Neural Science recently developed a method for identifying clusters of neurons that work in conjunction with one another in order to guide their behavior. The findings from the study, published in the journal Neuron, address a long-standing mystery about the organization of the prefrontal cortex (PFC)—considered one of the most recently evolved parts of the brain that underlies complex cognitive functions. “We have established a method to find functional groupings of neurons based on co-fluctuation of their responses,” said one of the study’s authors. “In doing so, we show that PFC neurons are organized into spatially contiguous maps, much like their counterparts in sensory cortices. The widely accepted notion that orderly spatial maps are restricted to sensory cortices, therefore, needs revision.” The research focused on the “parcellation” of PFC neurons — how these cells are grouped together to perform specific functions. The research team found that the discovered subnetworks in the prefrontal cortex are linked to decision-making behavior, but seem to have distinct roles — one subnetwork better represents upcoming choices and another one seems to keep track of past choices. To read more about this study, click here.