State–Space Trajectories and Traveling Waves Following Distraction

Abstract Cortical activity shows the ability to recover from distractions. We analyzed neural activity from the pFC of monkeys performing working memory tasks with mid-memory delay distractions (a cued gaze shift or an irrelevant visual input). After distraction, there were state–space rotational dynamics that returned spiking to population patterns similar to those predisruption. In fact, rotations were fuller when the task was performed correctly versus when errors were made. We found a correspondence between state–space rotations and traveling waves across the surface of pFC. This suggests a role for emergent dynamics like state–space rotations and traveling waves in recovery from distractions.