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PubMed1990

Spatial organization of axons in turtle visual cortex: intralamellar and interlamellar projections.

The spatial pattern of projections within turtle visual cortex was studied by using focal injections of horseradish peroxidase into visual cortex in an in vitro wholebrain preparation. Injections anterogradely filled the axons of many layer 2 neurons, which could be followed for 200-500 microns from the injection sites. Axons were typically unbranched, relatively straight, and bore small varicosities at irregular intervals. They radiated from the injection sites in all directions, but showed some preference toward orientations along the lateral-medial axis of the cortex. Earlier work (Mulligan and Ulinski, '90) had demonstrated that turtle visual cortex contains a series of isoazimuth lamellae, each representing an individual azimuth of visual space and oriented perpendicular to the rostral-caudal axis of the cortex. The present study provides evidence for intrinsic projections both along isoazimuth lamellae and between adjacent lamellae. These projections may play roles in the elaboration of wide receptive fields of cortical neurons.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Expression of occ1 mRNA in the visual cortex during postnatal development in macaques.

We previously reported that the occ1 gene is specifically expressed in the primary visual cortex of adult monkeys in an activity-dependent manner (Tochitani et al., Eur. J. Neurosci., 3, 297-307, 2001). In this report, we compared occ1 mRNA expression in the primary visual cortex during the development of newborn, 3-month-old and adult monkeys. occ1 mRNA was already expressed preferentially in the primary visual cortex of newborn monkeys, but the laminar pattern of occ1 expression in the visual cortex changed as development proceeded. This suggests the possible importance of experience-dependent developmental regulations of occ1 in the developing primary visual cortex.

Aging↗

PubMed2004

Synchrony and covariation of firing rates in the primary visual cortex during contour grouping.

The visual system imposes structure onto incoming information, by grouping image elements of a single object together, and by segregating them from elements that belong to other objects and the background. One influential theory holds that the code for grouping and segmentation is carried by the synchrony of neuronal discharges on a millisecond time scale. We tested this theory by recording neuronal activity in the primary visual cortex (area V1) of monkeys engaged in a contour-grouping task. We found that synchrony was unrelated to contour grouping. The firing rates of V1 neurons are also correlated across trials. We demonstrate that this rate covariation is mainly determined by fluctuations in visual attention. Moreover, we show that rate covariation depends on perceptual grouping, as it is strongest between neurons that respond to features of the same object.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Dynamics of the orientation-tuned membrane potential response in cat primary visual cortex.

Neurons in the primary visual cortex are highly selective for stimulus orientation, whereas their thalamic inputs are not. Much controversy has been focused on the mechanism by which cortical orientation selectivity arises. Although an increasing amount of evidence supports a linear model in which orientation selectivity is conferred upon visual cortical cells by the alignment of the receptive fields of their thalamic inputs, the controversy has recently been rekindled with the suggestion that late cortical input--delayed by multiple synapses--could lead to sharpening of orientation selectivity over time. Here we used intracellular recordings in vivo to examine temporal properties of the orientation-selective response to flashed gratings. Bayesian parameter estimation demonstrated that both preferred orientation and tuning width were stable throughout the response to a single stimulus.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Feeling or features: different sensitivity to emotion in high-order visual cortex and amygdala.

Emotionally loaded visual stimuli have shown increased activation in visual and cortex limbic areas. However, differences in visual features of such images could confound these findings. In order to manipulate valence of stimuli while keeping visual features largely unchanged, we took advantage of an "expressional transfiguration" (ET) effect of faces. In addition, we used repetition effects, which enabled us to test more incisively the impact of the ET effect. Using the ET manipulation, we have shown that the activation in lateral occipital complex (LOC) was unaffected by valence attributes, but produced significant modulation of fMR adaptation. Contrary to LOC, amygdala activation was increased by ET manipulation unrelated to the adaptation. A correlation between amygdala and LOC adaptation points to a possible modulatory role of the amygdala upon visual cortex short-term plasticity.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

[The rat visual cortex. Cytoarchitecture and stereotactic parameters].

In the present investigation the visual cortex of the albino rat was analyzed. On the basis of cytoarchitectonic criterions we can demarced the area striata (field 17) from a medial (field 18) and lateral (field 18a) lying peristriatic area. There are differences in the cortical structure not only between the striate and peristriate areae but also between field 18 and field 18a. In this publication we also present the visual cortex in stereotaxic coordinates on the basis of the stereotaxic atlas of FIFKOVA and MARSALA. Stereotaxic informations belonging the different fields of the visual cortex of the rat are not yet known, but they are very helpful for experimental investigations in this region of the brain.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Perceptual learning and top-down influences in primary visual cortex.

Neuronal responses at early stages in visual cortical processing, including those in primary visual cortex (V1), are subject to the influences of visual context, experience and attention. Here we show that for monkeys trained in a shape discrimination task, V1 neurons took on novel functional properties related to the attributes of the trained shapes. Furthermore, these properties depended on the perceptual task being performed; neurons responded very differently to an identical visual stimulus under different visual discrimination tasks. These top-down influences were seen from the very beginning and throughout the entire time course of the neural responses. Information theoretic analysis showed that neurons carried more information about a stimulus attribute when the animals were performing a task related to that attribute. Our findings suggest that the output from V1 reflects both sensory and behavioral context.

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pattern adaptation and cross-orientation interactions in the primary visual cortex.

The responsiveness of neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) is substantially reduced after a few seconds of visual stimulation with an effective pattern. This phenomenon, called pattern adaptation, is uniquely cortical and is the likely substrate of a variety of perceptual after-effects. While adaptation to a given pattern reduces the responses of V1 neurons to all subsequently viewed test patterns, this reduction shows some specificity, being strongest when the adapting and test patterns are identical. This specificity may indicate that adaptation affects the interaction between groups of neurons that are jointly activated by the adapting stimulus. We investigated this possibility by studying the effects of adaptation to visual patterns containing one or both of two orientations--the preferred orientation for a cell, and the orientation orthogonal to it. Because neurons in the primary visual cortex are sharply tuned for orientation, stimulation with orthogonal orientations excites two largely distinct populations of neurons. With intracellular recordings of the membrane potential of cat V1 neurons, we found that adaptation to the orthogonal orientation alone does not evoke the hyperpolarization that is typical of adaptation to the preferred orientation. With extracellular recordings of the firing rate of macaque V1 neurons, we found that the responses were not reduced by adaptation to the orthogonal orientation alone nearly as much as by adaptation to the preferred orientation. In the macaque we also studied the effects of adaptation to plaids containing both the preferred and the orthogonal orientations. We found that adaptation to these stimuli could modify the interactions between orientations. It increased the amount of cross-orientation suppression displayed by some cells, even turning some cells that showed cross-orientation facilitation when adapted to a blank stimulus into cells that show cross-orientation suppression. This result suggests that pattern adaptation can affect the interaction between the groups of neurons tuned to the orthogonal orientations, either by increasing their mutual inhibition or by decreasing their mutual excitation.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Patterns of corticocortical, corticotectal, and commissural connections in the opossum visual cortex.

Patterns of connections of the visual cortex of the South American opossum, Didelphis aurita, were revealed by using neuronal tracers to identify and characterize visual specializations of the peristriate cortex (PS). The visuotopy of corticotectal connections of the anterolateral portion of PS (PSal) is symmetrical to that of the striate cortex (ST or primary visual area [V1]). Three consecutive bands of commissural connections coincide, respectively, with the ST-PS border, the limit between the caudal and rostral PSal halves (PSc and PSr), and the border of PS with the parietal and temporal cortices. PSc and PSr contain regular commissural rings similar to those present in the peristriate cortex of eutherian mammals. ST projections define in PSc two strings of periodical foci consecutively concentric to V1 and a single focus in PSr. Although they were organized topographically, ascending, descending, and commissural connections between ST and PSal showed a high degree of convergence and divergence. These results conform to the model of a single area homologous to the second visual area (V2) bordering V1. Moreover, they suggest the possibility that PSal includes either one or two additional belt-like areas successively anterior to V2. Along with the finding of alternating bands of high and low cytochrome oxidase activity in PSal, the data further suggest that this region contains modular specializations similar to those of the peristriate cortex of primates and other eutherian mammals. The posterolateral peristriate cortex (PSpl) constitutes another visual area, since it consists of a distinct focus of reciprocal corticocortical and interhemispheric connections and a separate source of corticotectal projections. Finally, a visuomotor function for the orbital cortex is proposed based on its direct projections to optical tectal layers. The close cladistic relationship of opossums to mammalian ancestral forms suggests that the PSal parcelation into belt-like areas that contain modules reflects the primitive organization of the visual cortex. Moreover, a highly diffuse pattern of corticocortical connections may represent a requirement for a brain with few visual areas to perform global processing.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Lamina-specific arrangement of astrocytic gliosis and senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease visual cortex.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) visual cortex (area 17) was investigated using stains for plaques and tangles (Bielschowsky, thioflavine S) and gliosis (GFAP immunoperoxidase). Pathology was heaviest in layers II, III, IVa and IVc. Of especial interest was a thin line of plaques and astrocytic gliosis at the lower margin of layer IVc. These results could provide an insight into the pathogenesis of AD, and suggest that patients with AD may have specific visual deficits.

Aged↗

PubMed1976

Feedback training of 36 - 44 HZ EEG activity in the visual cortex and hippocampus of cats: evidence for sensory and motor involvement.

Milk reinforcement was contingent on the occurrence of 36 -44 (40) Hz EEG activity in the left visual cortex (VC) of one group of cats and in the right hippocampus (H) of a second group. Both groups learned to increase 40 Hz activity, and acquisition of reinforcement was associated with immobility. A third group (behavioral controls - BC) was trained by the method of successive approximation to behave in a similar manner to VC and H cats. Training significantly increased 40 Hz activity in all of the following structures, except the hippocampi of VC cats and between the right and left visual cortex of H and BC cats: posterior primary visual cortex (bilateral), anterior primary visual cortex (left), primary motor cortex (bilateral), dorsal hippocampus (bilateral), and midbrain reticular formation (bilateral). Since the behavioral and EEG changes of H and BC animals were similar, immobility appears to be important for increased hippocampal 40 Hz activity produced by feedback training. Testing in darkness enhanced 40 Hz activity in the trained area of VC cats but had no effect on H or BC animals. These results, in conjunction with the observation that VC cats appeared to visually fixate, suggest that VC cats may have learned to increase 40 Hz activity in the visual cortex by altering visual processing.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Dopaminergic innervation of the primary visual cortex in the rat, and some correlations with human cortex.

Dopaminergic terminals have been identified in the primary visual cortex with three techniques; immunocytochemistry with an anti-dopamine antiserum, retrograde axonal transport techniques using unconjugated wheat germ agglutinin and HPLC determination of catecholamines and metabolites in microdissected sub-regions of occipital cortex in the rat. The results demonstrate a specific dopaminergic innervation, arising from the ventral tegmental area, which is found mainly in laminae VI and V, but with minor innervation also in lamina I. Dopaminergic innervation to adjacent cortical regions is also described. Neurochemical data from post-mortem human material suggests that a similar innervation exists in man. An analysis of the distribution of dopaminergic fibres in relation to the known connections and possible functions of the deep laminae of visual cortex suggests that dopaminergic axons may participate in the corticofugal control of visual afferent pathways.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Loss of neurofilament labeling in the primary visual cortex of monocularly deprived monkeys.

Visual experience during early life is important for the development of neural organizations that support visual function. Closing one eye (monocular deprivation) during this sensitive period can cause a reorganization of neural connections within the visual system that leaves the deprived eye functionally disconnected. We have assessed the pattern of neurofilament labeling in monocularly deprived macaque monkeys to examine the possibility that a cytoskeleton change contributes to deprivation-induced reorganization of neural connections within the primary visual cortex (V-1). Monocular deprivation for three months starting around the time of birth caused a significant loss of neurofilament labeling within deprived-eye ocular dominance columns. Three months of monocular deprivation initiated in adulthood did not produce a loss of neurofilament labeling. The evidence that neurofilament loss was found only when deprivation occurred during the sensitive period supports the notion that the loss permits restructuring of deprived-eye neural connections within the visual system. These results provide evidence that, in addition to reorganization of LGN inputs, the intrinsic circuitry of V-1 neurons is altered when monocular deprivation occurs early in development.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Serotonin inhibits the induction of NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation in the rat primary visual cortex.

An increase in serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] levels in the rat visual cortex is correlated with the developmental decrease in long-term potentiation (LTP), and 5-HT may play an important role in the closure of the critical period by regulating LTP. The effect of 5-HT on the induction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-dependent LTP in visual cortex slices from young rats was investigated. The field potential in layer II/III was recorded by stimulating the underlying layer IV. NMDAR-dependent LTP was induced in slices from 3-week-old rats by theta-burst stimulation (TBS) but not in slices from 5-week-old rats. However, LTP was induced in 5-HT-depleted slices from 5-week-old rats by incubation with para-chloroamphetamine (10 microM, 2 h), a 5-HT-depleting agent. The reinstated LTP in 5-HT-depleted slices was inhibited by the application of D-aminopentanoate, an NMDAR antagonist (50 microM) and 5-HT (10 and 30 microM). In contrast, the induction of mGluR-dependent LTP by weak TBS in disinhibited slices with picrotoxin (1 microM) in the bath was not affected by 5-HT application. The coapplication of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor agonists inhibited the induction of NMDAR-dependent LTP in 5-HT-depleted slices. 5-HT levels in the visual cortex increased with age. Based on these findings, we conclude that NMDAR-dependent LTP is specifically inhibited by coactivation of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors with the increase in 5-HT levels in the rat visual cortex at the end of the critical period.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Differential gene expressions in the visual cortex of postnatal day 1 versus day 21 rats revealed by suppression subtractive hybridization.

The neonatal visual cortex is a highly plastic structure and its development is guided by visual experience during early postnatal life. Rats do not open their eyes until the end of the second postnatal week. We hypothesized that the expression of genes in the visual cortex would differ before and after eye opening. As a first step in uncovering these differences, we compared gene expressions in the visual cortex of postnatal days (PND) 1 and 21 rats. Suppression subtractive hybridization was performed using PND1 samples as the tester and PND21 as the driver. More than 30 genes were expressed at a higher level in PND1 than PND21 samples, but 5 fragments showed higher copies than others. PCR product of the five fragments was gel-purified and cloned into pCRII vectors. They showed significant homology to cDNA of genes: (A). clone MGC: 19375; (B). Type II iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (D2); (C). reduced expression 3 gene; (D). lactosylceramide synthase; and (E). septin 4, respectively. Functions of A, C and E are unknown. By means of RACE PCR, three full-length cDNAs not reported previously in the rat were obtained for A, C and E, and we named them "expression genes 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in the rat visual cortex (EG1RVC, EG2RVC and EG3RVC)". EG1RVC was further characterized by Northern blots, in situ hybridization and in vitro transfection. These approaches confirmed that EG1RVC was expressed at a significantly higher level in PND1 than in PND21 visual cortical samples, and that transfected PC12 cells and primary neuronal cultures showed expression mainly in neuronal cell bodies. Our data indicate that genes expressed more abundantly on PND1 are associated with various metabolic pathways and enzymatic changes, and may play an important role in visual cortical development, growth and/or plasticity.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Dark-reared kittens: GABA sensitivity of cells in the visual cortex.

Most cells in the visual cortex of dark-reared kittens are unselective for stimulus orientation and we examined the notion that this might be due to insufficiently developed gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. We recorded from cortical neurons and examined their sensitivity to iontophoretically applied GABA. As expected, most units were non-selective for orientation, but application of GABA suppressed impulse activity of these cells just as for orientation selective neurons. This result suggests that the development or maintenance of GABA receptors is not critically dependent on visual experience.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Electrophysiological studies on the effects on single cells of silver electrodes implanted in the visual cortex of cats.

We have studied whether the presence of an artificial metal conductor in the visual cortex has an effect on the responsiveness pattern of the cells there. The physiological properties of single cells have been characterized in the mammalian primary visual cortex, following the acute and chronic implantation of silver wire electrodes. The Experimental group was Chronic and Acute operated and implanted adult cats. The Control group consisted of operated, but not implanted, adult cats and intact (Normal) adult cats. A sagittal incision was unilaterally made in the primary visual cortex (area 17) and a silver wire was implanted. Single cells were extracellularly recorded in the pre- and postincision regions following anesthesia and paralysis, 4-8 weeks following the implantation in the Chronic and immediately in the Acute group. The responsiveness, ocular dominance, receptive field properties, orientation, and direction selectively of the cells were examined. The responsiveness level was different in the preincision (afferented) regions of all operated groups. I was consistently affected compared with their deafferented region. The main effect was found on the binocularity of cells in all operated groups. The following are the differences found between the preincision and postincision regions. Our findings show that although a metal wire conductor implanted in the mammalian visual cortex has an effect on the efficiency of the cells there, chemically inert metals may serve in the future as artificial conductors in the brain.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed2002

Acupuncture stimulation of the vision-related acupoint (Bl-67) increases c-Fos expression in the visual cortex of binocularly deprived rat pups.

Our previous study with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated that acupuncture stimulation of the vision-related acupoint, B1-67, activates the visual cortex of the human brain. As a further study on the effect of B1-67 acupuncture stimulation on the visual cortex, we examined c-Fos expression in binocularly deprived rat pups. Binocular deprivation significantly reduced the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the primary visual cortex, compared with that of normal control rat pups. Interestingly, acupuncture stimulation of B1-67 resulted in a significant increase in the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the primary visual cortex, while acupuncture stimulation of other acupoints less important for visual function had no significant effect on c-Fos expression in the primary visual cortex. The results suggest the possibility of vision-related acupoint (B1-67) having an influence over the activity of the primary visual cortex.

Acupuncture Points↗