ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the behavioral and electrophysiological characteristics of prefrontal executive control in macaca mulatas. Methods Three macaca mulatas were used for behavioral research. Neuronal activities of the prefrontal cortex were recorded in two monkeys while visual discriminated go/no go tasks were being performed. Results ① The response time was (419?18)ms, (376?26)ms and (540?21)ms in three monkeys while performing go/no go tasks; ② A total of 41 tetrodes penetrations were made in the PFC of two monkeys. A total of 92 task related neurons were sampled and categorized as 5 types: visual signal related neurons, decision making related neurons, go movement related neurons, reward related neurons and multi events related neurons; ③ When it was correct, the discharge rate of a neuron to a go signal was significantly higher than that to a no go signal during cue period; the discharge rate of a decision making neuron in a go task was significantly higher than that in a no go task. However, when it was wrong, the situation was on the contrary during delay period. Conclusions ① The prefrontal cortex contains various kinds of neurons; ② There are two types of errors in executing go/no go tasks: cue period error and delay period error.