Overview

• Neuroscientists at UC San Diego identified the thalamocortical pathway as the key area modified during motor learning in mice.
• The study demonstrates that learning reorganizes thalamic inputs to the primary motor cortex, activating task-specific neurons while silencing others.
• Researchers developed the ShaReD method to map shared neural representations across subjects, enabling detailed insights into brain activity.
• High-resolution imaging and optogenetics revealed how learning strengthens and refines communication between brain regions.
• Findings suggest potential applications for stroke recovery, neuroprosthetics, and treatments for motor disorders like Parkinson’s.