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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.02.05.704022

Baseline activity of V1 interneurons connects pupil-linked arousal to engaged behavioral state

Nuiten, S. A.·Lohuis, M. O.·Schaub, A. C.·van Gaal, S.·Olcese, U.·Pennartz, C.·Sterzer, P.·de Gee, J. W.
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Abstract

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWHumans and rodents alternate between discrete, persistent behavioral states during perceptual decision-making. For example, trials can be clustered into states of engaged, disengaged, and biased decision-making strategies. In mice, the probability of being in an engaged state exhibits an inverted-U relationship with baseline pupil-linked arousal, consistent with the Yerkes-Dodson Law. We replicated this relationship in mice (N=11; audio-visual change detection task) and showed that it generalizes to humans (N=69; auditory detection task). We then examined its neural basis, using simultaneous pupillometry and electrophysiological recordings in mouse V1. A nonlinear mediation model revealed that baseline activity of putative fast-spiking interneurons, but not putative pyramidal neurons, made a significant statistical contribution to the inverted-U shaped relationship between pupil-linked arousal and engaged-state probability. These findings are consistent with the idea that arousal may shape behavioral states by modulating baseline inhibitory activity within a primary sensory region.

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Nuiten, S. A., Lohuis, M. O., Schaub, A. C., van Gaal, S., Olcese, U., Pennartz, C., Sterzer, P., de Gee, J. W.. 2026-02-07. Baseline activity of V1 interneurons connects pupil-linked arousal to engaged behavioral state. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.05.704022

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