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bioRxiv · 10.1101/495218

Unique properties of high-order thalamic inputs versus cortical inputs to primary somatosensory cortex

Zhang, E.·Bruno, R. M.
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Abstract

Layer (L) 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) are sparsely active, spontaneously and during sensory stimulation. Long-range inputs from higher areas may gate L2/3 activity. We investigated their in vivo impact by expressing channelrhodopsin in three main sources of feedback to rat S1: primary motor cortex, secondary somatosensory cortex, and secondary somatosensory thalamic nucleus (the posterior medial nucleus, POm). Inputs from cortical areas were relatively weak. POm, however, more robustly depolarized L2/3 cells and, when paired with peripheral stimulation, evoked action potentials. POm triggered not only a stronger fast-onset depolarization but also a delayed all-or-nonepersistent depolarization, lasting up to 1 second and exhibiting beta oscillations. Inactivating POm somata abolished persistent but not initial depolarization, indicating a recurrent circuit mechanism. We conclude that secondary thalamus can enhance L2/3 responsiveness over long periods. Such timescales could provide a potential modality-specific substrate for attention, working memory, and plasticity.

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Zhang, E., Bruno, R. M.. 2018-12-13. Unique properties of high-order thalamic inputs versus cortical inputs to primary somatosensory cortex. https://doi.org/10.1101/495218

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