Toward task mapping of primate prefrontal cortex

Abstract

The lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) flexibly supports diverse cognitive functions, including working memory, decision making, and inhibitory control. Unlike neurons in sensory cortices, LPFC neurons exhibit adaptive coding, dynamically changing their tuning to encode task-relevant information across domains. These context-dependent responses challenge traditional approaches to functional mapping. In this review, we propose adapting stimulus mapping techniques for 'task mapping' of LPFC. We highlight key challenges in this endeavour, arising from the structural and functional properties of LPFC, including large spatiotemporal receptive fields, dynamic tuning, and integrative connectivity. To address these challenges, we introduce topographic similarity analysis (TSA), an approach inspired by representational similarity analysis (RSA). We discuss the potential of TSA for detecting reorganization of functional topographies with learning and changing task demands, with empirical work applying TSA to macaque cell recordings underway. This work motivates further exploration of topographies across a richer task space. By extending TSA to high-field fMRI in humans, future research may uncover cognitive dimensions underlying LPFC function, fostering a deeper understanding of flexible cognition.

Keywords: Cognitive flexibility; Functional organization; Higher-order cognition; Neural population codes; Primate prefrontal cortex; Structural organization; Topographic maps.