Distinct recruitment of feedforward and recurrent pathways across higher-order areas of mouse visual cortex

Cortical visual processing transforms features of the external world into increasingly complex and specialized neuronal representations. These transformations arise in part through target-specific routing of information; however, within-area computations may also contribute to area-specific function...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current biology 2021-11, Vol.31 (22), p.5024-5036.e5
Main Authors: Li, Jennifer Y., Hass, Charles A., Matthews, Ian, Kristl, Amy C., Glickfeld, Lindsey L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Axons
circuit
connectivity
electrophysiology
excitation
hierarchical processing
inhibition
Interneurons
Mice
Neurons - physiology
parvalbumin
somatostatin
synaptic transmission
Visual Cortex - physiology
Visual Pathways - physiology
Visual Perception - physiology
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Summary:Cortical visual processing transforms features of the external world into increasingly complex and specialized neuronal representations. These transformations arise in part through target-specific routing of information; however, within-area computations may also contribute to area-specific function. Here, we sought to determine whether higher order visual cortical areas lateromedial (LM), anterolateral (AL), posteromedial (PM), and anteromedial (AM) have specialized anatomical and physiological properties by using a combination of whole-cell recordings and optogenetic stimulation of primary visual cortex (V1) axons in vitro. We discovered area-specific differences in the strength of recruitment of interneurons through feedforward and recurrent pathways, as well as differences in cell-intrinsic properties and interneuron densities. These differences were most striking when comparing across medial and lateral areas, suggesting that these areas have distinct profiles for net excitability and integration of V1 inputs. Thus, cortical areas are not defined simply by the information they receive but also by area-specific circuit properties that enable specialized filtering of these inputs. [Display omitted] •Higher visual areas (HVAs) in the mouse have distinct anatomy and physiology•V1 inputs to lateral areas excite interneurons more strongly than in medial areas•This different input is balanced by stronger recurrent connectivity in medial areas Visual processing engages multiple cortical areas in parallel to generate increasingly specialized representations. Li et al. demonstrate that specialization in higher-order visual areas could arise from distinct anatomical and physiological properties of feedforward inputs from primary visual cortex and recurrent connections within each area.
ISSN:0960-9822
1879-0445
DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2021.09.042