Complementary Contributions of Prefrontal Neuron Classes in Abstract Numerical Categorization

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1347-08.2008
• Publication Date: 2008-07-30T16:38:15Z
• Authors: Ilka Diester; Andreas Nieder
• Keywords: Numerosity adaptation effect; Pyramidal cell; Representation

The primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a cardinal role in forming abstract categories and concepts. However, it remains elusive how this is accomplished to what extent the interaction of functionally distinct neuron classes underlies representation. Here, we inferred major cortical cell types, putative pyramidal cells, interneurons by characterizing waveforms action potentials recorded monkeys performing cognitively demanding numerosity categorization task. Putative responded much faster than cells classified as neurons exhibited higher reliability category discrimination, whereas showed degree selectivity. An analysis tuning profiles temporal interactions adjacent indicated that inhibitory input shapes numerical PFC cells. These findings favor feedforward mechanisms subserving cognitive help clarify cellular microcircuits.