Promotes Cognitive Function through Regulation of Cortical Sensorimotor Dynamics.

Perception, a cognitive construct, emerges through sensorimotor integration (SMI). The genetic mechanisms that shape SMI required for perception are unknown. Here, we demonstrate in mice that expression of the autism/intellectual disability gene, , in cortical excitatory neurons is required for formation of somatomotor networks that promote SMI-mediated perception. Cortical expression was necessary and sufficient for setting tactile sensitivity, sustaining tactile object exploration, and promoting tactile learning. Mice with deficient expression exhibited impaired neural dynamics induced by exploratory touches within a cortical-thalamic network known to promote attention and perception. Disrupted neuronal dynamics were associated with circuit-specific long-range synaptic connectivity abnormalities. Our data support a model where autonomous expression in cortical excitatory neurons promotes cognitive abilities through assembly of circuits that integrate temporally-overlapping sensory and motor signals, a process that promotes perception and attention. These data provide systems-level insights into the robust association between expression and cognitive ability.