Whisker system articles from across Nature Portfolio

A combination of pharmacological modulation with in vivo electrophysiology, 2-photon calcium imaging and behavioural analysis characterises the role of cholinergic M1 receptors in sensory information processing and perception.

To localize objects in the environment, animals must distinguish external from self-generated stimulus motion. Here, the authors reveal a transient response in the superior colliculus that emerges when external motion violates self-generated predictions.

An anatomical study of the structure, distribution and use of whiskers on the elephant trunk reveal unique characteristics that may facilitate its manipulative capabilities.

A theoretical framework proposes that a common thalamocortical mechanism implements temporal demodulation across senses.

The basal ganglia process sensory and motor related information, but it is not known how movement affects sensory integration. Here, the authors show using in vivo whole-cell recordings that striatal neurons respond to both sensory stimuli and spontaneous whisking and that sensory responses are attenuated by whisking.

Cortical neurons reduce spiking responses to repetitive sensory stimulation, but the perceptual impact of this adaptation has been difficult to assess. Work now shows that it has profound consequences for tactile perception.