Locus coeruleus modulation of prefrontal dynamics and encoding of flexible rule switching (Updated September 27, 2024).

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the neurophysiological correlates and mechanisms that support flexible rule switching, which is fundamental to cognitive functions. The study trained mice to distinguish complex sensory cues and found that medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons exhibited dynamic changes during rule switching. The study also showed the importance of the ascending input from the locus coeruleus (LC), as LC inhibition impaired rule switching behavior and affected mPFC processes and encoding. The results highlight the role of the mPFC in set shifting processes and the impact of ascending neuromodulation on prefrontal neural dynamics and behavioral flexibility. [Extracted from the article]