Article abstract
Nature Neuroscience 12, 70 - 76 (2008)
Published online: 23 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nn.2232
Stimulus contrast modulates functional connectivity in visual cortex
Ian Nauhaus1, Laura Busse2, Matteo Carandini2,3 & Dario L Ringach1,4,5
Abstract
Neurons in visual cortex are linked by an extensive network of lateral connections. To study the effect of these connections on neural responses, we recorded spikes and local field potentials (LFPs) from multi-electrode arrays that were implanted in monkey and cat primary visual cortex. Spikes at each location generated outward traveling LFP waves. When the visual stimulus was absent or had low contrast, these LFP waves had large amplitudes and traveled over long distances. Their effect was strong: LFP traces at any site could be predicted by the superposition of waves that were evoked by spiking in a 
1.5-mm radius. As stimulus contrast increased, both the magnitude and the distance traveled by the waves progressively decreased. We conclude that the relative weight of feedforward and lateral inputs in visual cortex is not fixed, but rather depends on stimulus contrast. Lateral connections dominate at low contrast, when spatial integration of signals is perhaps most beneficial.
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, 2318 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, California 94115, USA.
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK.
- Departments of Neurobiology University of California Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
- Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Correspondence to: Ian Nauhaus1 e-mail: inauhaus@gmail.com
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