Infrabarrels Are Layer 6 Circuit Modules in the Barrel Cortex that Link Long-Range Inputs and Outputs
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: The rodent somatosensory cortex includes well-defined examples of cortical columns-the barrel columns-that extend throughout the cortical depth and are defined by discrete clusters of neurons in layer 4 (L4) called barrels. Using the cell-type-specific Ntsr1-Cre mouse line, we found that L6 contains infrabarrels, readily identifiable units that align with the L4 barrels. Corticothalamic (CT) neurons and their local axons cluster within the infrabarrels, whereas corticocortical (CC) neurons are densest between infrabarrels. Optogenetic experiments showed that CC cells received robust input from somatosensory thalamic nuclei, whereas CT cells received much weaker thalamic inputs. We also found that CT neurons are intrinsically less excitable, revealing that both synaptic and intrinsic mechanisms contribute to the low firing rates of CT neurons often reported in vivo. In summary, infrabarrels are discrete cortical circuit modules containing two partially separated excitatory networks that link long-distance thalamic inputs with specific outputs.
Source: Cell Reports
Institution: Brown University
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,620
Awards: G2061885241, G2469029921, G2548268951, Center for Central Nervous System Function, Neocortical Control of the Thalamus, Functions of electrical synapses in inhibitory networks, G4034026456, G5459513127, RII Track-2 FEC: Neural Basis of Attention, G6180130691, G6901350534, G7253346456, Dynamic properties of corticothalamic circuits, Functions of naturally diverse inhibitory networks in neocortex, G8596123152, G9000061132, G9000211013, G9000354893, G953759355
OpenAlex ID: W2771661168