To investigate the role of the piriformcortex in regulating attentional behavior in mice.

Adult male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect expressions of cellular FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog protein (c-Fos) in the piriform cortex. The changes of attentional behavior in the 5-CSRTT test were explored following either stereotactic injection of diphtheria toxin A virus to specifically damage piriform cortex neurons or chemogenetical inhibition of the neuronal activity inthe piriform cortex.

It was found that the expression of c-Fos in the 5-CSRTT-tested mice was significantly increased compared to the control. Both lesion and chemogenetic inhibition of piriform cortex neuronsreduced the accuracy of attention, but omission rates and premature responses remained unaffected in the 5-CSRTT test.

Piriform cortex neuronsmay play a critical role in modulating attentional processes in mice.