Statistical regularities and the sensory consequences of self-action: A multi-species, multi-modal perspective

Abstract

Active sensing is integral for survival in many organisms. While statistical regularities in natural scenes, as well as ecological relevance, are particularly relevant for shaping motor behaviors, significantly less is known about how these factors additionally influence the brain's compensatory mechanisms for the sensory consequences of self-action. Here, using different sensory modalities, species, and timescales, we review recent developments demonstrating that both state estimation and sensory gating, fundamental functions related to sensory processing during movement, are malleable and reflect statistical regularities. Such regularities exist in both the natural environment as well as in the sensory-motor contingencies specific to a given action type. In some species and modalities, the mechanisms for state estimation are well characterized, whereas in others, sensory gating is more developed. We provide a comparative approach that not only identifies common underlying principles, but also highlights upcoming research questions that are relevant for each sensory modality and species.