Whisking signals motor preparation and the behavioral state of mice

Abstract

A central function of the brain is to plan, predict and imagine the effect of movement in a dynamically changing environment. Here we show that the position of the vibrissae, sets of mobile tactile sensors on each side of the face, reflects the behavioral state and predicts the movement of mice, head-fixed in a plus-maze floating on air. Whisker position and whisking as well as nose position signal whether the animal is moving backward or forward, turning right or left, standing still or moving, expecting reward or licking. Surprisingly, the relationship between bilateral whisker position and behavioral state has little to do with tactile input from the whiskers. Thus, in addition to a tactile exploratory function, these mobile sensors on the face of a mouse signal the behavioral and motor preparation state of the animal.