Anterior cingulate cortex

Counterfactual information, or the mental representation of alternative outcomes, plays a critical role in value-based decision-making by allowing individuals to evaluate both chosen and unchosen options. Aberrant counterfactual processing is linked to psychiatric disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD). While the neural encoding of counterfactual outcomes is established, the mechanisms by which this feedback affects future decision-making are less clear. Using human intracranial electrophysiology, we show that counterfactual feedback influences subsequent choice behavior through beta o

…interaction between amygdala, frontal cortex, and striatum is critical for this type of learning. Here, we conducted neurophysiology recordings and applied computational approaches to understand how activity in this circuit varies when choice and reward are separated in time, intentionally decreasing animals’ ability to associate the two together. We trained 3 rhesus macaques to perform a probabilistic reward-learning task. In each session, animals learn the probabi

The mammalian Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) has been suggested to modulate sensory information processing across multiple cortical regions via long-range axonal projections. These axonal projections arise from discrete PFC subregions with unique brain-wide connectivity and functional repertoires, which may provide the architecture for modular feedback intended to shape sensory processing. Here, we used axonal tracing, axonal and somatic 2-photon calcium imaging, and chemogenetic manipulations in mice to delineate how projections from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACA) and ventrolateral Orbitofronta

A fundamental property of natural intelligence is the capacity to recognise and leverage statistical patterns in the environment to promote adaptive behaviour. This capability, often termed statistical learning (SL), enables us to construct accurate models of the world that aid in perception and decision-making, when faced with noisy and ambiguous sensory input. However, despite extensive data from human experiments and proposals from theoretical neuroscience, the neural implementation of SL remains elusive. To address this, we employed a two-alternative forced-choice (2-AFC) sound categorisat

…the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in exploratory behaviors. However, the roles of these regions in signaling specific aspects of exploratory behaviors remain unclear. Based on earlier studies, we classified exploratory behaviors into two types driven by different motives: internal and external explorations. Internal exploration involves encountering options with uncertain outcomes and seeking in

…is initiated by the activation of the anterior cingulate cortex

…identical neural networks (i.e., the anterior cingulate cor

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is important for both sensory integration and the processing of affective aspects of pain to coordinate appropriate behavioral reactions. However, the role of the projections of ACC neurons to subcortical areas and their influence on sensory processing are not fully understood. Here, we identified that ACC neurons preferentially project to the contralateral claustrum (CLA). Extracellular recordings in awake mice showed that ACC neurons projecting to the contralateral claustrum (ACC→contraCLA) preferentially respond to contralateral mechanical sensory stimula

…coming from cortical areas such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Glutamatergic layer 5 neurons in ACC project to dPAG where they inhibit the expression of defensive behavior. In vivo single-unit recordings in dPAG identified two majo

…in cortical structures, such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA). An essential actor for the EI balance are the fast-spiking interneurons expressing parvalbumin (INPV). These neurons are surrounded by a specialized extracellular matrix, the perineuronal nets (PNNs) which regulate their functions a

Aims: Adolescence is a critical period characterized by increased sensation-seeking, risk-taking, and sensitivity to rewards, alongside neural and behavioral changes. Research suggests that alterations in functional connectivity within and between cortical and subcortical areas optimize interregional communication, impacting reward processing and decision-making. Hormonal changes, notably gonadal hormones, significantly influence adolescent behavior and brain development. This study aims to elucidate adolescent behavior through a reward learning paradigm while investigating underlying neuronal

Over the course of evolution, the amygdala (AMG) and medial frontal cortex (mPFC) network, involved in behavioral adaptation, underwent structural changes in the old-world monkey and human lineages. Yet, whether and how the functional organization of this network differs remains poorly understood. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imagery, we show that the functional connectivity (FC) between AMG nuclei and mPFC regions differs between humans and awake macaques. In humans, the AMG-mPFC FC displays U-shaped pattern along the corpus callosum: a positive FC with the ventromedial p

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common trait of Parkinson's disease (PD), often associated with early motor deficits, eventually evolving to PD with dementia in later disease stages. The neuropathological substrate of MCI is poorly understood, thus few studies pointed at immune dysfunctions as a contributing factor. We tested this hypothesis in an α-synuclein (αSyn)-based model of PD obtained by the intranigral infusion of human α-synuclein oligomers (H-SynOs). Three months after infusion rats developed mild cognitive deficits sustained by an altered electrophysiological activity in the a

…of amyloid-beta (Aß) in the prefrontal cortex is linked to rapid forgetting in this prodromal AD stage. Thus, early forgetting becomes a potential target for preclinical studies seeking to prevent/delay the onset of severe forms of AD. We used mouse models to identify early alterations in memory formation. Our findings indicate that Aβ1

…Since the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been known to play an important role in chronic pain, we investigated factors associated with the attenuated hypersensitivity on voluntary wheel running in the ACC of the PSNL mice.A partial sciatic nerve l

Learning information and making flexible, appropriate choices are essential in everyday life. Animal model studies indicate the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) plays an important role in learning and decision-making. It is proposed to be an active partner supporting communication between the frontal and medial temporal lobes and other subcortical structures. To understand the contribution of each brain structure, it is critical we know its function and its anatomical connectivity. The latter helps inform which cortical and subcortical structures interact and how information travels throughout the br

…calcium imaging within the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC or Area 24) wi

Affective state has influence over behaviour and cognition. A negative affective state compromises health and immune response. The extracellular matrix, a lesser understood region of the brain, potentially provides mechanisms for change in mood states. Mood disorders associate with change in plasticity; specifically, perineuronal nets (PNNs) associate with synaptic plasticity. PNNs mostly surround Parvalbumin neurons (PV) thereby altering inhibitory signalling.The aim of this study was to induce a positive or negative affective state in rats through housing conditions, validate this with behav

…a neural circuit from the visual cortex projecting to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in mice. Specifically, viral tracing, in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, and fiber photometry recordings show that green light activated glutamatergic projections from the medial part of the secondary visual cortex (V2MGlu) to GABAergic neurons in the ACC, which drives inhibition

…a new task feature with every step.The Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) has been indicated to store representations of task features as well as being important for task schema retrieval and assimilation. However how new task feature representations and their associated beha

…cognitive impairment involving the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PVIs) are critical for normal cognitive function and are often surrounded by a specialised extracellular matrix, the perineuronal nets (PNNs). Loss of PVIs and PNNs occurs in Alzheimer’s disease but their role in DLB remains unclear. In addition, neuroinflammatory changes may also play an early role in DLB. Using transgenic mice expressing human mutant α-syn (hA30P), we

Bimanual sequential skills, such as typing, are essential for our modern lives. However, how the brain learns bimanual sequential skills is largely unknown. Bimanual sequential skill requires two essential leanings: bimanual posture control and representing motor sequence. We conducted an fMRI study to investigate the neural basis of bimanual sequential skills like typing, resembled in our ordinary movement. Thirty-five healthy right-handed volunteers practiced visually cued bimanual serial reaction time tasks, including the “mirror” and more difficult “parallel” modes of repeating fixed seque

Epidemiological studies have long acknowledged that only a minority of the population is at risk of losing control over alcohol consumption. Aiming at identifying the roots of this vulnerability, ongoing evidence from our laboratory revealed a significant vulnerability to lose control over alcohol consumption in male Wistar rats subjected to a chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) during adolescence. This excessive alcohol seeking behaviour correlated with significant changes in the gut microbiota composition. Most importantly, Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) from resilient to vulner

The correlation between cognitive function, mood states, and driving behavior remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to explore this relationship objectively, by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In a cross-sectional design, 28 male 20 to 30-year-old drivers were randomly included in the study. Each participant drove virtually in an fMRI-compatible driving simulator, after auditory and visual induction of positive, negative, and neutral mood; and fMRI was performed meanwhile to explore brain activity alterations. The analysis was performed using SPM software by performing seed-based conn