Cell type-specific representation of spatial context in the rat prefrontal cortex

Abstract

The ability to represent ones own position in relation to cues, goals, or threats is crucial to successful goal-directed behavior. Using transgenic rats expressing Cre recombinase in parvalbumin (PV) neurons (PV-Cre rats) we demonstrate cell type-specific encoding of spatial and movement variables in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during reward foraging. Single neurons encoded the conjunction of the animals spatial position and the location of the reward, referred to as the spatial context. The spatial context was most prominently represented by the inhibitory PV interneurons. Movement towards the reward was signified by increased local field potential (LFP) oscillations in the gamma band but this LFP signature was not related to the spatial information in the neuronal firing. The results highlight how spatial information is incorporated into cognitive operations in the mPFC. The presented PV-Cre line opens for expanded research approaches in rats.