Fig. 7.

Euclidean distances between neural state maps of S1, VPM, and the posterior nucleus of the thalamus (POM). Each panel depicts the Euclidean distance between neural state maps of a different structure and the neural state maps of VPM and POM. Error bars were not shown in cases where variability was too small for depiction. Each bin corresponds to a 250-ms interval. A: supragranular layers presented neural state maps that were closer to neural state maps of POM (i.e., smaller Euclidean distances) during the late anticipatory period (−250–0 ms) and during the third part of the reward period (1,500–1,750 ms). Neural state maps from supragranular layers were closer to those of VPM during the 3rd part of the animal behavioral response period (750–1,000 ms). Meanwhile, no significant differences could be found in the remaining periods. B: neural state maps for layer IV were closer to neural state maps for VPM during the late anticipatory period (−250–0 ms) and during the 3rd part of the animal behavioral response period (750–1,000 ms). Meanwhile, neural state maps for layer IV presented smaller Euclidean distances to neural state maps for POM during the 1st part of the animal behavioral response period (250–500 ms) and during most of the reward period (1,250–2,000 ms). C: neural state maps for the infragranular layers were closer to neural state maps for POM during the late anticipatory period (−250–0 ms), during the discrimination period (0–250 ms), during most of the animal behavioral response period (250–750 ms), and during the whole reward period (1,000–2,000 ms). Although the Euclidean distance between the neural state maps for layers V/VI and POM was closer during the discrimination period, the dynamical stretches between quadrants suggest that neuronal state maps from layers V/VI more accurately reflect the overall dynamics of VPM during this specific epoch (see text for details). *P < 0.05, **P <0.01, ***P < 0.001.