Cortical feed-forward networks for binding different streams of sensory information

Nat Neurosci. 2006 Dec;9(12):1472-3. doi: 10.1038/nn1798. Epub 2006 Nov 12.

Abstract

Different streams of sensory information are transmitted to the cortex where they are merged into a percept in a process often termed 'binding.' Using recordings from triplets of rat cortical layer 2/3 and layer 5 pyramidal neurons, we show that specific subnetworks within layer 5 receive input from different layer 2/3 subnetworks. This cortical microarchitecture may represent a mechanism that enables the main output of the cortex (layer 5) to bind different features of a sensory stimulus.

MeSH terms

  • Afferent Pathways / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Attention / physiology*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mental Processes / physiology*
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Pyramidal Cells / physiology
  • Rats
  • Somatosensory Cortex / cytology
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*