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Receptive field structure varies with layer in the primary visual cortex

Abstract

Here we ask whether visual response pattern varies with position in the cortical microcircuit by comparing the structure of receptive fields recorded from the different layers of the cat's primary visual cortex. We used whole-cell recording in vivo to show the spatial distribution of visually evoked excitatory and inhibitory inputs and to stain individual neurons. We quantified the distribution of 'On' and 'Off' responses and the presence of spatially opponent excitation and inhibition within the receptive field. The thalamorecipient layers (4 and upper 6) were dominated by simple cells, as defined by two criteria: they had separated On and Off subregions, and they had push-pull responses (in a given subregion, stimuli of the opposite contrast evoked responses of the opposite sign). Other types of response profile correlated with laminar location as well. Thus, connections unique to each visual cortical layer are likely to serve distinct functions.

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Figure 1: Receptive fields with a push-pull arrangement of synaptic inputs.
Figure 2: Receptive fields with push-push or push-null configurations.
Figure 3: The spatial arrangement of On and Off subregions in cortical receptive fields.
Figure 4: Excitation and inhibition within single subregions of the receptive field.
Figure 5: Correlation between receptive field structure and cortical layer.
Figure 7: Laminar distribution of receptive fields with push-pull.
Figure 6: Comparison of subregion overlap and push-pull.
Figure 8: Morphology and receptive field structure.

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Acknowledgements

We thank T.N. Wiesel for support over the years and C.G. Marshall, K.D. Naik and J.M. Provost for assistance with the anatomical reconstructions. Supported by US National Institutes of Health grant EY09593 to J.A.H.

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Correspondence to Judith A Hirsch.

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Martinez, L., Wang, Q., Reid, R. et al. Receptive field structure varies with layer in the primary visual cortex. Nat Neurosci 8, 372–379 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1404

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