Parallel processing in the corticogeniculate pathway of the macaque monkey

Neuron. 2009 Apr 16;62(1):135-46. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.02.024.

Abstract

Although corticothalamic feedback is ubiquitous across species and modalities, its role in sensory processing is unclear. This study provides a detailed description of the visual physiology of corticogeniculate neurons in the primate. Using electrical stimulation to identify corticogeniculate neurons, we distinguish three groups of neurons with response properties that closely resemble those of neurons in the magnocellular, parvocellular, and koniocellular layers of their target structure, the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus. Our results indicate that corticogeniculate feedback in the primate is stream specific, and provide strong evidence in support of the view that corticothalamic feedback can influence the transmission of sensory information from the thalamus to the cortex in a stream-selective manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Biophysics
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Feedback
  • Geniculate Bodies / cytology*
  • Geniculate Bodies / physiology
  • Macaca mulatta / anatomy & histology
  • Macaca mulatta / physiology
  • Male
  • Models, Neurological
  • Neurons / classification
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Reaction Time
  • Visual Cortex / cytology*
  • Visual Cortex / physiology
  • Visual Pathways / physiology*