Distributed sensorimotor processing in the cortico-cerebellar system

Sensory perception, cognition and motor function all rely on neural processing that is distributed across brain regions. Much of this processing is carried out by the neocortex and cerebellar cortex, which anatomical studies show are highly interconnected, forming multiple closed loops. But the neocortex and cerebellum have traditionally been studied separately. To understand how they work together as a system to form associations, learn motor tasks, predict the sensory consequences of movement and make decisions, it is critical to study how information is represented and communicated between these structures – at the neural population level. We will record neural population dynamics in the neocortex and cerebellar cortex, simultaneously, during reward-based behavioural tasks. We will use widefield whole brain imaging, high resolution dual region 3D two-photon imaging and optogenetic approaches. These will enable us to record and play back specific patterns of neuronal activity thereby testing hypotheses on cortico-cerebellar communication and cerebellar function. This will be complemented with multiscale models that link cellular mechanisms to population level properties. Elucidating fundamental principles of communication, distributed processing and learning will reveal how neural populations in the neocortical and cerebellar circuits work together to learn sensorimotor associations and perform skilled motor tasks.