Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks
Classical conditioning is a fundamental associative learning process in which repeated pairings of a conditioned stimulus (CS) with an unconditioned stimulus (US) lead to the CS eliciting a conditioned response (CR). Previous research has identified key neural regions involved in processing reward-p...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1512724/full |
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| author | Tien Cuong Phi Shin Ishii Shin Ishii Shin Ishii Masashi Kondo Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Ken Nakae |
| author_facet | Tien Cuong Phi Shin Ishii Shin Ishii Shin Ishii Masashi Kondo Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Ken Nakae |
| author_sort | Tien Cuong Phi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Classical conditioning is a fundamental associative learning process in which repeated pairings of a conditioned stimulus (CS) with an unconditioned stimulus (US) lead to the CS eliciting a conditioned response (CR). Previous research has identified key neural regions involved in processing reward-predicting cues and mediating licking behavior. However, the mechanisms that sustain high conditioned response rates across repeated sessions remain elusive, particularly regarding how the reward expectation is represented on a session-by-session basis. While early learning phases in classical conditioning have been extensively studied, the neural mechanisms that support consistent performance over time remain unclear. In this study, we sought to understand how cortical regions, particularly the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), contribute to maintaining high CR rates across sessions. Using the core complex framework derived from Integrated Information Theory (IIT), we explored the dynamics of neural networks during sessions of high CR performance. Our findings suggest that while traditional functional connectivity (FC) methods struggled to capture the complexity of sustained behavioral engagement, the core complex framework revealed key regions, notably the PPC, that were significantly correlated with enhanced CR sessions. This work suggests the potential role of the PPC in supporting reward expectations and maintaining consistent behavioral responses. By applying the core complex framework to investigate neural substrates of sustained behavior, we provide novel insights into the interaction of cortical networks during classical conditioning, offering promising directions for future research in associative learning and behavior. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f6e95d2b2acd4307af3ba3c6c128e194 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-f6e95d2b2acd4307af3ba3c6c128e1942025-01-29T06:46:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-01-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15127241512724Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasksTien Cuong Phi0Shin Ishii1Shin Ishii2Shin Ishii3Masashi Kondo4Masanori Matsuzaki5Masanori Matsuzaki6Masanori Matsuzaki7Masanori Matsuzaki8Ken Nakae9Department of Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, JapanDepartment of Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, JapanNeural Information Analysis Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Kyoto, JapanInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanBrain Functional Dynamics Collaboration Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, JapanExploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, JapanClassical conditioning is a fundamental associative learning process in which repeated pairings of a conditioned stimulus (CS) with an unconditioned stimulus (US) lead to the CS eliciting a conditioned response (CR). Previous research has identified key neural regions involved in processing reward-predicting cues and mediating licking behavior. However, the mechanisms that sustain high conditioned response rates across repeated sessions remain elusive, particularly regarding how the reward expectation is represented on a session-by-session basis. While early learning phases in classical conditioning have been extensively studied, the neural mechanisms that support consistent performance over time remain unclear. In this study, we sought to understand how cortical regions, particularly the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), contribute to maintaining high CR rates across sessions. Using the core complex framework derived from Integrated Information Theory (IIT), we explored the dynamics of neural networks during sessions of high CR performance. Our findings suggest that while traditional functional connectivity (FC) methods struggled to capture the complexity of sustained behavioral engagement, the core complex framework revealed key regions, notably the PPC, that were significantly correlated with enhanced CR sessions. This work suggests the potential role of the PPC in supporting reward expectations and maintaining consistent behavioral responses. By applying the core complex framework to investigate neural substrates of sustained behavior, we provide novel insights into the interaction of cortical networks during classical conditioning, offering promising directions for future research in associative learning and behavior.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1512724/fullposterior parietal cortexclassical conditioningintegrated information theorytask performancenetwork analysiscore complex analysis |
| spellingShingle | Tien Cuong Phi Shin Ishii Shin Ishii Shin Ishii Masashi Kondo Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Masanori Matsuzaki Ken Nakae Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks Frontiers in Neuroscience posterior parietal cortex classical conditioning integrated information theory task performance network analysis core complex analysis |
| title | Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks |
| title_full | Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks |
| title_fullStr | Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks |
| title_short | Integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks |
| title_sort | integrated information theory reveals the potential role of the posterior parietal cortex in sustaining conditioning responses in classical conditioning tasks |
| topic | posterior parietal cortex classical conditioning integrated information theory task performance network analysis core complex analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1512724/full |
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