Author
Listed:
- Zhao Zeng
(Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
- Ce Zhang
(Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
- Yue Xu
(Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
- Hua He
(Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital)
- Yong Gu
(Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Abstract
Perceptual decision-making involves distributed networks spanning both association cortices and subcortical areas. A fundamental question is whether such a network is highly redundant, or each node is distinct with unique function. Using a visuo-vestibular decision-making task, here we show the subcortical caudate nucleus (CN) of male primates displays distinct population code compared to association cortices along the modality dimension. Specifically, in a low-dimensional state subspace, neural trajectory in the frontal and posterior-parietal association cortical activity during multimodal-stimulus condition evolves along the visual trajectory, whereas along the vestibular trajectory in the CN. We then show CN population activity is consistent with the animal’s behavioral strategy employed within a generalized drift-diffusion framework. Importantly, causal-link experiments, including application of GABAa-receptor agonist, D1-receptor antagonist, and electrical microstimulation, further confirmed CN’s critical contributions to perceptual behavior. Our results confirm CN’s vital importance to decision making in complex environments with multimodal information.
Suggested Citation
Zhao Zeng & Ce Zhang & Yue Xu & Hua He & Yong Gu, 2025.
"Distinct neural population code and causal roles of primate caudate nucleus in multimodal decision-making,"
Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
Handle:
RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60504-y
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60504-y
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