Abstract
The spatial distribution of horizontal internal connections in field 17 of the cat cortex was studied after microiontophoretic application of horseradish peroxidase to individual cortical columns. Cluster analysis of the distribution of labeled cells in the superficial layers in the tangential plane of the cortex was performed. Field 17 included 7 ± 1 clusters of up to five cells. Clusters were distributed into two layers, separated by 1.2 ± 0.3 mm. The distance between the centers of the clusters forming rows was 0.8 ± 0.3 mm. The spatial characteristics of the grouping of cells sending axons into the cortical column were compared with published data based on optical visualization of the activity of neurons in orientational and eye-dominant columns of the visual cortex. It is suggested that columns in field 17 are associated with 6–8 hypercolumns, though only with a single type of neuron within these hypercolumns, in terms of eye dominance and orientational preference.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
S. V. Alekseenko, S. N. Toporova, and F. N. Makarov, “Detection of horizontal afferent connections of a single orientational column of the cat cortex,” Morfologiya, 110,No. 4, 116–118 (1996).
S. V. Alekseenko, S. N. Toporova, and F. N. Makarov, “Layered organization of afferent connections of cortical columns in field 17 of the cat,” Morfologiya, 112,No. 4, 33–35 (1997).
S. V. Alekseenko, S. N. Toporova, and F. N. Makarov, “Microtopography of critical fields 17 and 18 in cats,” Sensor. Sistemy, 13,No. 4, 278–283 (1999).
G. G. Blasel and G. Salama, “Voltage-sensitive dyes reveal a modular organization in monkey striate cortex,” Nature, 321, 579–585 (1986).
T. Bonhoeffer and A. Grinvald, “Iso-orientation domains in cat visual cortex are arranged in pinwheel-like patterns,” Nature, 353, 429–431 (1991).
T. Bonhoeffer and A. Grinvald, “The layout of iso-orientation domains in area 18 of cat visual cortex: optimal imaging reveals a pinwheel-like organization,” J. Neurosci., 13,No. 10, 4157–4180 (1993).
O. D. Creutzfeld, L. J. Garey, R. Kuroda, and J.-R. Wolff, “The distribution of degenerating axons after small lesions in the intact and isolated visual cortex of the cat,” Exptl. Brain Res., 27,No. 4, 419–440 (1977).
C. D. Gilbert and T. N. Wiesel, “Morphology and intracortical projections of functionally characterized neurons in cat visual cortex,” Nature, 280, 120–125 (1979).
C. D. Gilbert and T. N. Wiesel, “Clustered intrinsic connections in cat visual cortex,” J. Neurosci., 3,No. 4, 1116–1133 (1983).
R. Malach, Y. Amir, M. Harel, and A. Grinwald, “Relationship between intrinsic connections and functional architecture revealed by optical imaging and in vivo targeted biocytin injections in primate striate cortex,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 22, 10469–10473 (1993).
J. Matsubara, M. Cynader, N. V. Swindale, and M. P. Stryker, “Intrinsic projections within cortex: evidence for orientation-specific local connections,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 935–939 (1985).
K. Obermeyer and G. G. Blasdel, “Geometry of orientation and ocular dominance columns in monkey striate cortex,” J. Neurosci., 13,No. 10, 4114–4129 (1993).
G. A. Orban, Neuronal Operations in the Visual Cortex, Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1984).
P.-A. Salin, J. Bullier, and H. Kennedy, “Convergence and divergence in the afferent projections to cat area 17,” J. Comp. Neurol., 283,No. 4, 486–512 (1989).
P. A. Salin and J. Bullier, “Corticocortical connections in the visual system: structure and function,” Physiol. Rev., 75,No. 1, 107–154 (1995).
P.-A. Salin, P. Girard, H. Kennedy, and J. Bullier, “Visuotopic organization of corticocortical connections in the visual system of the cat,” J. Comp. Neurol., 320,No. 4, 415–454 (1992).
J. W. Scannell, V. Blakemore, and M. P. Young, “Analysis of connectivity in the cat cerebral cortex,” J. Neurosci., 15,No. 2, 1463–1483 (1995).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alekseenko, S.V., Toporova, S.N., Makarov, F.N. et al. Structure of Internal Interneuronal Connections in Field 17 of the Cat Cerebral Cortex. Neurosci Behav Physiol 34, 617–620 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NEAB.0000028294.99842.39
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NEAB.0000028294.99842.39