Time
estimation
is
an
essential
prerequisite
underlying
various
cognitive
functions.
Previous
studies
identified
‘sequential
firing’
and
‘activity
ramps’
as
the
primary
neuron
activity
patterns
in
medial
frontal
cortex
(mPFC)
that
could
convey
information
regarding
time.
However,
relationship
between
these
timing
behavior
has
not
been
fully
understood.
In
this
study,
we
utilized
vivo
calcium
imaging
of
mPFC
rats
performing
a
task.
We
observed
cells
showed
selective
activation
at
trial
start,
end,
or
during
interval.
By
aligning
long-term
time-lapse
datasets,
discovered
sequential
time
coding
were
stable
over
weeks,
while
for
start
end
constant
dynamism.
Furthermore,
with
novel
design
allowed
animal
to
determine
individual
interval,
able
demonstrate
real-time
adjustment
sequence
procession
speed
closely
tracked
trial-to-trial
interval
variations.
And
errors
rats’
can
be
primarily
attributed
premature
ending
sequence.
Together,
our
data
suggest
maybe
neural
substrate
represents
under
physiological
conditions.
results
imply
existence
unique
cell
type
participates
time-related
sequences.
Future
characterization
provide
important
insights
mechanism
related
Time
estimation
is
an
essential
prerequisite
underlying
various
cognitive
functions.
Previous
studies
identified
“sequential
firing”
and
“activity
ramps”
as
the
primary
neuron
activity
patterns
in
medial
frontal
cortex
(mPFC)
that
could
convey
information
regarding
time.
However,
relationship
between
these
timing
behavior
has
not
been
fully
understood.
In
this
study,
we
utilized
vivo
calcium
imaging
of
mPFC
rats
performing
a
task.
By
aligning
long-term
time-lapse
datasets,
discovered
sequential
time
coding
were
stable
over
weeks,
while
cells
with
ramping
showed
constant
dynamism.
Furthermore,
novel
design
allowed
animal
to
determine
individual
trial
interval,
able
demonstrate
real-time
adjustment
sequence
procession
speed
closely
tracked
trial-to-trial
interval
variations.
And
errors
rats’
can
be
primarily
attributed
premature
ending
sequence.
Together,
our
data
suggest
might
more
relavent
regime
than
representing
under
physiological
conditions.
results
imply
existence
unique
cell
type
participates
time-related
sequences.
Future
characterization
provide
important
insights
neural
mechanism
related
Time
estimation
is
an
essential
prerequisite
underlying
various
cognitive
functions.
Previous
studies
identified
‘sequential
firing’
and
‘activity
ramps’
as
the
primary
neuron
activity
patterns
in
medial
frontal
cortex
(mPFC)
that
could
convey
information
regarding
time.
However,
relationship
between
these
timing
behavior
has
not
been
fully
understood.
In
this
study,
we
utilized
vivo
calcium
imaging
of
mPFC
rats
performing
a
task.
We
observed
cells
showed
selective
activation
at
trial
start,
end,
or
during
interval.
By
aligning
long-term
time-lapse
datasets,
discovered
sequential
time
coding
were
stable
over
weeks,
while
for
start
end
constant
dynamism.
Furthermore,
with
novel
design
allowed
animal
to
determine
individual
interval,
able
demonstrate
real-time
adjustment
sequence
procession
speed
closely
tracked
trial-to-trial
interval
variations.
And
errors
rats’
can
be
primarily
attributed
premature
ending
sequence.
Together,
our
data
suggest
maybe
neural
substrate
represents
under
physiological
conditions.
results
imply
existence
unique
cell
type
participates
time-related
sequences.
Future
characterization
provide
important
insights
mechanism
related
