Abstract
Perturbation to the cerebellum can lead to motor dysfunction, cognitive deficits, and behavioral inflexibility. Here we report that a cerebellum-specific transgenic mouse model with disrupted Purkinje cell function shows unexpectedly accelerated learning on a sensory evidence-accumulation task, as well as enhanced sensory reactivity to touch and auditory cues. Computational latent-state analysis of behavior revealed that accelerated learning was associated with enhanced focus on current over past trials. Learning was also accelerated by providing cue-locked optogenetic stimulation of Purkinje cells, but unaffected by continuous optogenetic interference with Purkinje cell activity. Both transgenic and optogenetically-boosted mice showed prolonged electrophysiological activity in Purkinje-cell complex spikes and anterior cingulate cortex. We suggest that cerebellar activity may shape evidence-accumulation learning by enhancing task focus and neocortical processing of current experience.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
The revised version of our manuscript is rewritten to focus on the effects of cerebellar perturbations on learning and on forebrain activity, and to present the results with more clarity. Any interpretations about autism spectrum disorder have been moved to the discussion. We added data about sensory reactivity with cue-locked optogenetic stimulation of Purkinje cells in crus I. Furthermore, we added analysis of whisker movement and licks during the evidence-accumulation task to control for changes in movement. We also performed additional controls for data presented in the manuscript, those are added throughout the text.
