Neural Correlates of Category Learning in Monkey Inferior Temporal Cortex
Area TE is required for normal learning of visual categories based on perceptual similarity. To evaluate whether category learning changes neural activity in area TE, we trained two monkeys (both male) implanted with multielectrode arrays to categorize natural images of cats and dogs. Neural activity during a passive viewing task was compared pre- and post-training. After the category training, the accuracy of abstract category decoding improved. Single units became more category selective, the proportion of single units with category selectivity increased, and units sustained their category-specific responses for longer. Visual category learning thus appears to enhance category separability in area TE by driving changes in the stimulus selectivity of individual neurons and by recruiting more units to the active network.
Authors
- Yasuko Sugase-Miyamoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3097-3789)
- Naohisa Miyakawa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5057-0333)
- Mark A. G. Eldridge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4292-6832)
- Kazuko Hayashi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8560-4430)
- Kenichiro Miura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3722-7837)
- Narihisa Matsumoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6837-1444)
- Richard C. Saunders (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8221-6988)
- Jonah E Pearl (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9300-1552)
- Yuji Nagai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-0749)
- Barry J. Richmond (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8234-1540)
- Keiji Matsuda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2529-0019)
- Takafumi Minanimoto
Institutions
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (JP)
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (JP)
- National Institute of Mental Health (US)
- National Institute of Mental Health (JP)
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (JP)
- Newcastle University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Neuroscience
- Published
- 2024-10-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.0312-24.2024
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.03
Funders
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- National Institutes of Health
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- National Institute of Mental Health