Top-down laminar organization of the excitatory network in motor cortex. Weiler, N., Wood, L., Yu, J., Solla, S. A, & Shepherd, G. M G Nature neuroscience, 11(3):360--366, March, 2008.
doi  abstract   bibtex   
Cortical layering is a hallmark of the mammalian neocortex and a major determinant of local synaptic circuit organization in sensory systems. In motor cortex, the laminar organization of cortical circuits has not been resolved, although their input-output operations are crucial for motor control. Here, we developed a general approach for estimating layer-specific connectivity in cortical circuits and applied it to mouse motor cortex. From these data we computed a laminar presynaptic --\textgreater postsynaptic connectivity matrix, W(post,pre), revealing a complement of stereotypic pathways dominated by layer 2 outflow to deeper layers. Network modeling predicted, and experiments with disinhibited slices confirmed, that stimuli targeting upper, but not lower, cortical layers effectively evoked network-wide events. Thus, in motor cortex, descending excitation from a preamplifier-like network of upper-layer neurons drives output neurons in lower layers. Our analysis provides a quantitative wiring-diagram framework for further investigation of the excitatory networks mediating cortical mechanisms of motor control.
@article{weiler_top-down_2008,
	title = {Top-down laminar organization of the excitatory network in motor cortex},
	volume = {11},
	issn = {1097-6256},
	doi = {10.1038/nn2049},
	abstract = {Cortical layering is a hallmark of the mammalian neocortex and a major determinant of local synaptic circuit organization in sensory systems. In motor cortex, the laminar organization of cortical circuits has not been resolved, although their input-output operations are crucial for motor control. Here, we developed a general approach for estimating layer-specific connectivity in cortical circuits and applied it to mouse motor cortex. From these data we computed a laminar presynaptic --{\textgreater} postsynaptic connectivity matrix, W(post,pre), revealing a complement of stereotypic pathways dominated by layer 2 outflow to deeper layers. Network modeling predicted, and experiments with disinhibited slices confirmed, that stimuli targeting upper, but not lower, cortical layers effectively evoked network-wide events. Thus, in motor cortex, descending excitation from a preamplifier-like network of upper-layer neurons drives output neurons in lower layers. Our analysis provides a quantitative wiring-diagram framework for further investigation of the excitatory networks mediating cortical mechanisms of motor control.},
	language = {eng},
	number = {3},
	journal = {Nature neuroscience},
	author = {Weiler, Nicholas and Wood, Lydia and Yu, Jianing and Solla, Sara A and Shepherd, Gordon M G},
	month = mar,
	year = {2008},
	pmid = {18246064},
	keywords = {Action Potentials, Animals, Brain Mapping, Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials, Glutamic Acid, Mice, Motor Cortex, Nerve Net, Neural Networks (Computer), Neural Pathways, Neurons, Organ Culture Techniques, Photic Stimulation, Photochemistry, Synaptic Transmission},
	pages = {360--366}
}

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