Theta Phase-Locking of mPFC Spike Timing to the CA1 Theta Rhythm Was Enhanced during Choice Epochs Relative to Forced-Turn and Choice-Error Runs

<div><p>Phase distributions for single mPFC (A) and CA1 (B) neurons during forced-turn (grey), choice-direction (red), and choice-error (hatched red) epochs. Bar graphs show mean-population circular-concentration coefficients (κ) during the three epochs, and the significant (** <i>p</i> < 0.01, * <i>p</i> < 0.05) increase in κ for the mPFC population during choice epochs (39 neurons) relative to forced-turn and choice-error epochs (39 and 27 neurons, respectively). In contrast, the CA1 population showed a similar degree of phase-locking during all epoch types (for 26, 26, and 15 neurons, respectively).</p> <p>(C) The results in A cannot be explained by changes in mean LFP theta power, which was comparable during forced-turn, choice, and choice-error epochs in both CA1 and mPFC.</p>