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Orbitofrontal ensemble activity monitors licking and distinguishes among natural rewards.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gutierrez, R; Carmena, JM; Nicolelis, MAL; Simon, SA
Published in: J Neurophysiol
January 2006

The classification of rhythmic licking into clusters has proved to be useful for characterizing brain mechanisms that modulate the ingestion of natural rewards (sucrose and water). One cortical area that is responsive to rewarding stimuli is the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). However, it is not presently known how OFC neurons respond while rodents freely lick for natural rewards and whether these responses are related to the structure of licking clusters. We addressed these issues by showing that temporary inactivation of the OFC decreases the duration and increases the number of clusters and that the activity of OFC neurons changed at precise times before, during, and after the cluster terminates. Furthermore, analysis of the activity of OFC neuronal ensembles showed that they could discriminate cluster onset from termination, predict when a behaving animal will begin a cluster, and distinguish and anticipate between natural rewards. These results provide a new role for the OFC in influencing licking clusters and anticipating specific rewards.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Neurophysiol

DOI

ISSN

0022-3077

Publication Date

January 2006

Volume

95

Issue

1

Start / End Page

119 / 133

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Reward
  • Rats, Long-Evans
  • Rats
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Nerve Net
  • Motor Activity
  • Male
  • Frontal Lobe
 

Citation

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Gutierrez, R., Carmena, J. M., Nicolelis, M. A. L., & Simon, S. A. (2006). Orbitofrontal ensemble activity monitors licking and distinguishes among natural rewards. J Neurophysiol, 95(1), 119–133. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00467.2005
Gutierrez, Ranier, Jose M. Carmena, Miguel A. L. Nicolelis, and S. A. Simon. “Orbitofrontal ensemble activity monitors licking and distinguishes among natural rewards.J Neurophysiol 95, no. 1 (January 2006): 119–33. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00467.2005.
Gutierrez R, Carmena JM, Nicolelis MAL, Simon SA. Orbitofrontal ensemble activity monitors licking and distinguishes among natural rewards. J Neurophysiol. 2006 Jan;95(1):119–33.
Gutierrez, Ranier, et al. “Orbitofrontal ensemble activity monitors licking and distinguishes among natural rewards.J Neurophysiol, vol. 95, no. 1, Jan. 2006, pp. 119–33. Pubmed, doi:10.1152/jn.00467.2005.
Gutierrez R, Carmena JM, Nicolelis MAL, Simon SA. Orbitofrontal ensemble activity monitors licking and distinguishes among natural rewards. J Neurophysiol. 2006 Jan;95(1):119–133.

Published In

J Neurophysiol

DOI

ISSN

0022-3077

Publication Date

January 2006

Volume

95

Issue

1

Start / End Page

119 / 133

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Reward
  • Rats, Long-Evans
  • Rats
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Nerve Net
  • Motor Activity
  • Male
  • Frontal Lobe