Search bioRxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.08.25.747123

An egocentric map prioritizing peri-personal space in the mouse rostro-lateral visual area

Sosa, M. J.·Brooks, S.·Bluhm, M.·Lei, E.·Noel, J.-P.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

All physical interactions between an organism and its environment occur within the space immediately adjacent to and surrounding its body, its peripersonal space (PPS). This space has been extensively studied behaviorally in humans, and through sparse single-neuron recordings in primates. However, how PPS is represented and organized at cellular and circuit scales remains poorly understood. Here, using dense extracellular recordings in the mouse rostro-lateral visual cortex (VISrl; >19,000 single units), we reveal the cellular and circuit organization of PPS in mice. Visuo-tactile neurons prioritize near-body space while also representing farther space in a direction-selective manner, tracking approaching but not receding objects across the environment. VISrl PPS neurons integrate vision and touch nonlinearly, and their tactile responses are progressively facilitated as visual objects near the body. PPS neurons are embedded in structured networks characterized by "like-to-like" functional connectivity and remap according to recent visuo-tactile statistics. Together, these findings establish VISrl as a circuit-accessible substrate for PPS, and reveal how near-body space is represented by a dynamic, plastic, multisensory cortical network.

Explore related subjects

neurosciencePreprint

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

Sosa, M. J., Brooks, S., Bluhm, M., Lei, E., Noel, J.-P.. 2026-09-01. An egocentric map prioritizing peri-personal space in the mouse rostro-lateral visual area. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.25.747123

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

Discover connections

Preprint resourcePreprint subjectneuroscience subject

Connections use source metadata and explicit phrase matches, not verified experimental comparisons.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related discoveries

bioRxiv2026

Evolution and Human Neural Individuality

Individuality is a defining feature of human biology. The functional network architecture of the human brain harbors person-specific qualities and forms individualized connectivity profiles that function as a neural fingerprint, both stable and unique across time. Here, using fMRI data from 431 Human Connectome Project participants, we examined whether neural individuality is more strongly exhibited in brain regions bearing signatures of recent human evolution. We calculated region-wise fingerprinting accuracy and associated it with four properties of evolutionary cortical organization: cortical expansion, myelin content estimate (T1w/T2w), human-specific gene-expression profiles, and functional homology to other primates. Across all four measures, neural individuality was strongest in cortical areas showing greater evolutionary novelty in humans, particularly frontoparietal control and default mode networks, and weaker in more conserved primary regions. Our findings connect evolutionary variation across species with stable functional variation among individuals.

neuroscience↗
bioRxiv2026

Motor planning and execution establish distinct feedforward and feedback motor histories

Movements are systematically affected by the recent motor history. These history effects may be induced either by reused motor plans or from lingering tuning of the previous movements' execution. We dissociated planning and execution using four experimental manipulations across two complementary motor paradigms. We isolated planning by preventing execution with stop signals and mechanical blocks, and execution by moving participants' hand passively using a robot manipulandum. History effects emerged in feedforward movement aspects - reaction time and early movement kinematics - following isolated planning. In contrast, they were absent or markedly reduced for isolated execution. History effects emerged also in late movement aspect that involves sensory feedback during execution - movement accuracy and precision - but only when movements were both planned and executed. Feedforward effects generalized across hands, whereas feedback effects were effector specific. Thus, prior motor planning and execution make distinct and complementary contributions in shaping future motor behavior.

neuroscience↗
bioRxiv2026

Hypothermic Conditions Impair GnRH Pulse Generator Activity and Gametogenesis

Mammalian reproductive function is driven by arcuate kisspeptin neurons, pacemakers of gonadotropin secretion. During energy shortages, animals reallocate resources from reproduction to survival; however, the underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Here we used fiber photometry to chronically monitor synchronized episodes of arcuate kisspeptin neuron activity (SEskiss) in adult mice under various energy-saving conditions. In both sexes, SEskiss frequency was markedly suppressed during fasting-induced torpor and pharmacologically induced hypothermia, whereas hypometabolism alone had no discernible effect. A Q neuron-induced hypothermic state (QIH) robustly suppressed SEskiss, leading to impaired gamete maturation, whereas warming the body temperature during QIH fully restored SEskiss frequency. These findings demonstrate that hypothermia, rather than hypometabolism, is the primary driver of suppression of the hypothalamic reproductive axis during energy-saving conditions. This study provides insights into how thermal signals act as critical gatekeepers in the mammalian reproductive system.

neuroscience↗