Spatial Patterns of Excitation and Inhibition Evoked by Lateral Connectivity in Layer 2/3 of Rat Barrel Cortex

Dynamics of Population Activity in Rat Sensory Cortex: Network Correlations Predict Anatomical Arrangement and Information Content

To study the spatiotemporal dynamics of neural activity in a cortical population, we implanted a 10 × 10 microelectrode array in the vibrissal cortex of urethane-anesthetized rats. We recorded spontaneous neuronal activity as well as activity evoked in response to sustained and brief sensory stimulation. To quantify the temporal dynamics of activity, we computed the probability distribution function (PDF) of spiking on one electrode given the observation of a spike on another. The spike-triggered PDFs quantified the strength, temporal delay, and temporal precision of correlated activity across electrodes. Nearby cells showed higher levels of correlation at short delays, whereas distant cells showed lower levels of correlation, which tended to occur at longer delays. We found that functional space built based on the strength of pairwise correlations predicted the anatomical arrangement of electrodes. Moreover, the correlation profile of electrode pairs during spontaneous activity predicted the "signal" and "noise" correlations during sensory stimulation. Finally, mutual information analyses revealed that neurons with stronger correlations to the network during spontaneous activity, conveyed higher information about the sensory stimuli in their evoked response. Given the 400-μm-distance between adjacent electrodes, our functional quantifications unravel the spatiotemporal dynamics of activity among nearby and distant cortical columns.

Modulatory effects of spectral energy contrasts on lateral inhibition in the human auditory cortex: an MEG study

We investigated the modulation of lateral inhibition in the human auditory cortex by means of magnetoencephalography (MEG). In the first experiment, five acoustic masking stimuli (MS), consisting of noise passing through a digital notch filter which was centered at 1 kHz, were presented. The spectral energy contrasts of four MS were modified systematically by either amplifying or attenuating the edge-frequency bands around the notch (EFB) by 30 dB. Additionally, the width of EFB amplification/attenuation was varied (3/8 or 7/8 octave on each side of the notch). N1m and auditory steady state responses (ASSR), evoked by a test stimulus with a carrier frequency of 1 kHz, were evaluated. A consistent dependence of N1m responses upon the preceding MS was observed. The minimal N1m source strength was found in the narrowest amplified EFB condition, representing pronounced lateral inhibition of neurons with characteristic frequencies corresponding to the center frequency of the notch (NOTCH CF) in secondary auditory cortical areas. We tested in a second experiment whether an even narrower bandwidth of EFB amplification would result in further enhanced lateral inhibition of the NOTCH CF. Here three MS were presented, two of which were modified by amplifying 1/8 or 1/24 octave EFB width around the notch. We found that N1m responses were again significantly smaller in both amplified EFB conditions as compared to the NFN condition. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that the energy and width of the EFB around the notch modulate lateral inhibition in human secondary auditory cortical areas. Because it is assumed that chronic tinnitus is caused by a lack of lateral inhibition, these new insights could be used as a tool for further improvement of tinnitus treatments focusing on the lateral inhibition of neurons corresponding to the tinnitus frequency, such as the tailor-made notched music training.

GABA(B) receptor-mediated presynaptic inhibition reverses inter-columnar covariability of synaptic actions by intracortical axons in the rat barrel cortex

Intracortical axons originating from pyramidal cells in layer 3 of the rat somatosensory cortex are shared between adjacent columns, and receive the presynaptic inhibition that is mediated by the GABA(B) receptor. Synaptic actions by intracortical axons of single layer 3 pyramidal cells covary between the two adjacent columns in response to stimulation of layer 3 of either column. We examined whether GABA(B) receptor-mediated presynaptic inhibition affects the covariability of synaptic actions by intracortical axons between adjacent columns in slice preparations of the rat barrel cortex. Paired stimulations of superficial layer 3 evoked first and second excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of varying amplitudes, yielding varying paired-pulse depression of EPSCs in layer 3 pyramidal cells that were located in the stimulated column, but not in its adjacent column. The amplitude of the second EPSC was inversely proportional to that of the first EPSC in layer 3 pyramidal cells in the stimulated column, yielding a negative correlation coefficient between the first and second EPSCs. Baclofen and CGP55845 attenuated paired-pulse depression and abolished the inverse relationship. Simultaneous recordings from two layer 3 pyramidal cells in the stimulated and adjacent columns revealed a positive correlation between the paired first EPSC amplitudes and a negative correlation between the paired second EPSC amplitudes, which, respectively, indicate the positive and negative covariability of synaptic actions by intracortical axons between the two adjacent columns. These results suggest that GABA(B) receptor-mediated presynaptic inhibition can reverse the positive covariability of inter-columnar synaptic actions, which may serve as a basis for inter-columnar desynchronisation.

Mapping cortical representations of the rodent forepaw and hindpaw with BOLD fMRI reveals two spatial boundaries

Electrical stimulation of the rat forepaw and hindpaw was employed to study the spatial distribution of BOLD fMRI. Averaging of multiple fMRI sessions significantly improved the spatial stability of the BOLD signal and enabled quantitative determination of the boundaries of the BOLD fMRI maps. The averaged BOLD fMRI signal was distributed unevenly over the extent of the map and the data at the boundaries could be modeled with major and minor spatial components. Comparison of three-dimensional echo-planar imaging (EPI) fMRI at isotropic 300 μm resolution demonstrated that the border locations of the major spatial component of BOLD signal did not overlap between the forepaw and hindpaw maps. Interestingly, the border positions of the minor BOLD fMRI spatial components extended significantly into neighboring representations. Similar results were found for cerebral blood volume (CBV) weighted fMRI obtained using iron oxide particles, suggesting that the minor spatial components may not be due to vascular mislocalization typically associated with BOLD fMRI. Comparison of the BOLD fMRI maps of the forepaw and hindpaw to histological determination of these representations using cytochrome oxidase (CO) staining demonstrated that the major spatial component of the BOLD fMRI activation maps accurately localizes the borders. Finally, 2-3 weeks following peripheral nerve denervation, cortical reorganization/plasticity at the boundaries of somatosensory limb representations in adult rat brain was studied. Denervation of the hindpaw caused a growth in the major component of forepaw representation into the adjacent border of hindpaw representation, such that fitting to two components no longer led to a better fit as compared to using one major component. The border of the representation after plasticity was the same as the border of its minor component in the absence of any plasticity. It is possible that the minor components represent either vascular effects that extend from the real neuronal representations or the neuronal communication between neighboring regions. Either way the results will be useful for studying mechanisms of plasticity that cause alterations in the boundaries of neuronal representations.

Local intracortical circuitry not only for feature binding but also for rapid neuronal responses

Neurons of primary sensory cortices are known to have specific responsiveness to elemental features. To express more complex sensory attributes that are embedded in objects or events, the brain must integrate them. This is referred to as feature binding and is reflected in correlated neuronal activity. We investigated how local intracortical circuitry modulates ongoing-spontaneous neuronal activity, which would have a great impact on the processing of subsequent combinatorial input, namely, on the correlating (binding) of relevant features. We simulated a functional, minimal neural network model of primary visual cortex, in which lateral excitatory connections were made in a diffusive manner between cell assemblies that function as orientation columns. A pair of bars oriented at specific angles, expressing a visual corner, was applied to the network. The local intracortical circuitry contributed not only to inducing correlated neuronal activation and thus to binding the paired features but also to making membrane potentials oscillate at firing-subthreshold during an ongoing-spontaneous time period. This led to accelerating the reaction speed of principal cells to the input. If the lateral excitatory connections were selectively (instead of "diffusively") made, hyperpolarization in ongoing membrane potential occurred and thus the reaction speed was decelerated. We suggest that the local intracortical circuitry with diffusive connections between cell assemblies might endow the network with an ongoing subthreshold neuronal state, by which it can send the information about combinations of elemental features rapidly to higher cortical stages for their full and precise analyses.

Modeling the emergence of whisker direction maps in rat barrel cortex

Based on measuring responses to rat whiskers as they are mechanically stimulated, one recent study suggests that barrel-related areas in layer 2/3 rat primary somatosensory cortex (S1) contain a pinwheel map of whisker motion directions. Because this map is reminiscent of topographic organization for visual direction in primary visual cortex (V1) of higher mammals, we asked whether the S1 pinwheels could be explained by an input-driven developmental process as is often suggested for V1. We developed a computational model to capture how whisker stimuli are conveyed to supragranular S1, and simulate lateral cortical interactions using an established self-organizing algorithm. Inputs to the model each represent the deflection of a subset of 25 whiskers as they are contacted by a moving stimulus object. The subset of deflected whiskers corresponds with the shape of the stimulus, and the deflection direction corresponds with the movement direction of the stimulus. If these two features of the inputs are correlated during the training of the model, a somatotopically aligned map of direction emerges for each whisker in S1. Predictions of the model that are immediately testable include (1) that somatotopic pinwheel maps of whisker direction exist in adult layer 2/3 barrel cortex for every large whisker on the rat's face, even peripheral whiskers; and (2) in the adult, neurons with similar directional tuning are interconnected by a network of horizontal connections, spanning distances of many whisker representations. We also propose specific experiments for testing the predictions of the model by manipulating patterns of whisker inputs experienced during early development. The results suggest that similar intracortical mechanisms guide the development of primate V1 and rat S1.

Inter- and Intralaminar Subcircuits of Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurons in Layer 6a of the Rat Barrel Cortex

Approximately half the excitatory neurons in layer 6 (L6) of the rat barrel cortex project to the thalamus with axon collaterals ramifying in the granular L4; the remaining project within cortex with collaterals restricted to infragranular laminae. In analogy, L6 inhibitory neurons also include locally arborizing and inter-laminar projecting neurons. We examined whether L6 neurons participating in different laminar interactions were also morphologically and electrically distinct. Corticothalamic (CT) neurons were labeled by in vivo injections of a retrogradely transported fluorescent tracer into the primary thalamic nucleus. Whole cell current-clamp recordings were performed from labeled and unlabeled L6 neurons in brain slices of juvenile rats; the morphology of cells was subsequently recovered and reconstructed. Corticocortical (CC) neurons were distinguished from CT cells based on the absence of a subcortical projection and the predominantly infragranular arborization of their axon collaterals. Two morphological CC subtypes could be further distinguished based on the structure of their apical dendrite. Electrically, CT neurons had shorter membrane time-constants and action potential (AP) durations and higher rheobase currents. CC neurons fired high-frequency spike doublets or triplets on sustained depolarization; the burst frequency also distinguished the two morphological CC subtypes. Among inhibitory L6 cells, the L4-projecting (L6iL4) and local (L6iL6) inhibitory neurons also had contrasting firing properties; L6iL4 neurons had broader APs and lower maximal firing rates. We propose that L6 excitatory and inhibitory neurons projecting to L4 constitute specialized subcircuits distinct from the infragranular network in their connectivity and firing patterns.

Enhanced Sound Perception by Widespread-Onset Neuronal Responses in Auditory Cortex

Accumulating evidence suggests that auditory cortical neurons exhibit widespread-onset responses and restricted sustained responses to sound stimuli. When a sound stimulus is presented to a subject, the auditory cortex first responds with transient discharges across a relatively large population of neurons, showing widespread-onset responses. As time passes, the activation becomes restricted to a small population of neurons that are preferentially driven by the stimulus, showing restricted sustained responses. The sustained responses are considered to have a role in expressing information about the stimulus, but it remains to be seen what roles the widespread-onset responses have in auditory information processing. We carried out numerical simulations of a neural network model for a lateral belt area of auditory cortex. In the network, dynamic cell assemblies expressed information about auditory sounds. Lateral excitatory and inhibitory connections were made between cell assemblies, respectively, by direct and indirect projections via interneurons. Widespread-onset neuronal responses to sound stimuli (bandpassed noises) took place over the network if lateral excitation preceded lateral inhibition, making a time widow for the onset responses. The widespread-onset responses contributed to the accelerating reaction time of neurons to sensory stimulation. Lateral interaction among dynamic cell assemblies was essential for maintaining ongoing membrane potentials near thresholds for action potential generation, thereby accelerating reaction time to subsequent sensory input as well. We suggest that the widespread-onset neuronal responses and the ongoing subthreshold cortical state, for which the coordination of lateral synaptic interaction among dissimilar cell assemblies is essential, may work together in order for the auditory cortex to quickly detect the sudden occurrence of sounds from the external environment.