Data from: Learning enhances behaviorally relevant representations in apical dendrites
Data files
Dec 24, 2024 version files 212.87 KB
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ApicalResponses.xlsx
128.06 KB
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ApicalSelectivity2p.xlsx
58.65 KB
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ApicalSelectivitySCAPE.xlsx
23.48 KB
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README.md
2.68 KB
Abstract
Learning alters cortical representations and improves perception. Apical tuft dendrites in Layer 1, which are unique in their connectivity and biophysical properties, may be a key site of learning-induced plasticity. We used both two-photon and SCAPE microscopy to longitudinally track tuft-wide calcium spikes in apical dendrites of Layer 5 pyramidal neurons in barrel cortex as mice learned a tactile behavior. Mice were trained to discriminate two orthogonal directions of whisker stimulation. Reinforcement learning, but not repeated stimulus exposure, enhanced tuft selectivity for both directions equally, even though only one was associated with reward. Selective tufts emerged from initially unresponsive or low-selectivity populations. Animal movement and choice did not account for changes in stimulus selectivity. Enhanced selectivity persisted even after rewards were removed and animals ceased performing the task. We conclude that learning produces long-lasting realignment of apical dendrite tuft responses to behaviorally relevant dimensions of a task.
README: Data from: Learning enhances behaviorally relevant representations in apical dendrites
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.v6wwpzh5t
Description of the data and file structure
The goal of these experiments was to compare the responsiveness and selectivity of layer 1 apical tuft dendrites in barrel cortex before and after head-fixed mice learned a direction discrimination task.
Files and variables
File: ApicalResponses.xlsx
Description: the overall responsiveness of apical tufts before, during, and after learning. Each row corresponds to one segmented apical tuft.
Variables
- CS+ is the magnitude of the response (in fractional delta F/F0) for the rewarded direction
- CS- is the magnitude of the response (in fractional delta F/F0) for the unrewarded direction
- Conditioning day is the number of a session
File: ApicalSelectivity2p.xlsx
Description: the selectivity of individual apical tufts before, during, and after learning. Each row corresponds to one segmented apical tuft imaged by two-photon microscopy.
Variables
- CS+ is the magnitude of the response (in fractional delta F/F0) for the rewarded direction
- CS- is the magnitude of the response (in fractional delta F/F0) for the unrewarded direction
- Stim1 and Stim2 are the magnitude of responses for the 2 directions when neither are rewarded (repeated exposure group)
- Data in Fig3c,d worksheets are histograms of the selectivity index of all apical tufts on the indicated session. The bin size was 0.2, and the bin centers are the midpoint between each bin edge - e.g. the bin center of 0.9 corresponds to values > 0.8 and <= 1.0. Proportion is the fraction of all tufts with a selectivity index in a given bin.
File: ApicalSelectivitySCAPE.xlsx
Description: the selectivity of individual apical tufts before, during, and after learning. Each row corresponds to one segmented apical tuft imaged by SCAPE microscopy.
Variables
- CS+ is the magnitude of the response (in fractional delta F/F0) for the rewarded direction
- CS- is the magnitude of the response (in fractional delta F/F0) for the unrewarded direction
- The bin size was 0.2, and the bin centers are the midpoint between each bin edge - e.g. the bin center of 0.9 corresponds to values > 0.8 and <= 1.0. Proportion is the fraction of all tufts with a selectivity index in a given bin.
Code/software
We used commercial software (Matlab 2020-2023) to analyze data, but these data can be viewed in any free software that can load .xls files and generate standard graphical plots (e.g., Python, R, etc).
Methods
Movies of apical dendrites were acquired by imaging genetically encoded calcium indicator with two-photon microscopy (planar imaging) or SCAPE microscopy (volumetric imaging). Microscopes were controlled by ScanImage in the case of two-photon or custom software in the case of SCAPE. Movies were motion corrected and segmented using CaImAn.