2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Neural circuitry of predictions and prediction errors in the auditory system
| Project/Area Number |
23K14298
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| Research Institution | The University of Tokyo |
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Principal Investigator |
Yaron Amit 東京大学, ニューロインテリジェンス国際研究機構, 特任研究員 (90895731)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2023-04-01 – 2026-03-31
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| Keywords | Predictive Coding / Auditory Cortex / Neural Encoding / Omission Responses / Error Signaling / Prediction Error Neurons |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This fiscal year, we made significant strides in predictive coding research within the rat auditory cortex. We identified neurons that robustly respond to omitted auditory stimuli, indicative of their role in encoding negative prediction errors. These neurons actively update their predictions, correlating their responses with the likelihood of expected tones. Our findings, detailed in a nearly completed paper, align well with our initial research plan and enhance our understanding of predictive mechanisms in the brain. Additionally, we have begun preliminary work with awake and with behaviorally trained rats, laying the groundwork for future studies that integrate behavioral responses with neural data.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
Our research is advancing smoothly and efficiently. We've achieved better-than-expected results with anesthetized rats, identifying key neurons in the auditory cortex that are instrumental in predictive coding. These neurons have shown unique response patterns to omitted auditory stimuli, indicating their crucial role in encoding prediction errors.
Given the significance of these findings, we decided to fully explore this avenue with anesthetized animals before moving on to experiments involving awake, behaviorally trained rats. This strategic focus allows us to deepen our understanding and solidify our results in a controlled setting.
We are in the process of finalizing a manuscript that details these discoveries and presenting it at international and local conferences.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
As we plan future work, we will first finalize and submit our manuscript detailing predictive coding insights from anesthetized rats. Simultaneously, we'll develop a second paper expanding the computational modeling based on these results, enhancing our model with additional experiments.
The next phase, which we already started, involves recording from higher brain areas (like PFC) and in awake rats to identify prediction signals. This step is crucial for understanding how the brain processes expected versus actual sensory inputs in real time.
In addition, we will work on establishing the awake behaving setup in a way that will compliment our current findings.
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| Causes of Carryover |
We did not purchase new Neuropixels electrodes this year and will use the added amount to being able to purchase the latest model.
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