Coatti, A;
(2014)
Receptive field properties of long-range projections in mouse visual cortex.
Masters thesis , UCL (University College London).
Abstract
Neuronal circuits in the neocortex are characterized by a precise architecture of connections between cellular subtypes in different layers and specialized areas. These complex networks provide the substrate for functional operations that are responsible for perception and other cognitive functions. The primary visual cortex (V1) provides a well-suited model to study how sensory stimuli are represented and processed by cortical circuits and passed on to other brain areas in order to generate behaviourally relevant outputs in response to environmental inputs. Cortical circuits are characterized by a variety of projection pathways and especially in the superficial layers of V1 layer 2/3 neurons have an extensive network of intra-areal long-range projections. Previous studies have provided some indications of a possible functional role of long-range projections in sensory processing but so far techniques to answer further questions were lacking. Two-photon calcium imaging and the use of genetically-encoded calcium sensors make it possible to record responses from both the cell bodies of neurons and their axonal projections. In order to shed light on the functional role of long-range projections in mouse V1 we compared receptive field properties of local populations of cell bodies and of axonal boutons of sub-populations of these cells that projected to different sites within V1. Receptive fields were of similar size when measured in boutons of long-range projections and in cell bodies. However, receptive fields of long-range projection boutons had more elongated subfields, showed more ON subfields, and a larger separation of ON and OFF subfields than the general population of cell bodies. In summary this work presents an experimental approach to study the functional properties of lateral long-range connections and their role in sensory processing in mouse V1.
| Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Receptive field properties of long-range projections in mouse visual cortex |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1443079 |
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