Organizational principles of human visual cortex revealed by receptor mapping

This receptorarchitectonic study of the human visual cortex investigated interareal differences in mean receptor concentrations and laminar distribution patterns of 16 neurotransmitter receptors in the dorsal and ventral parts of areas V1, V2, V3 as well as in adjoining areas V4 (ventrally) and V3A (dorsally). Both the functional hierarchy of these areas and a distinction between dorsal and ventral visual cortices were reflected by significant receptorarchitectonic differences. The observation that dorso-ventral differences existed in all extrastriate areas (including V2) is particularly important for the discussion about the relationship between dorsal and ventral V3 as it indicates that a receptorarchitectonic distinction between the ventral and dorsal visual cortices is present in but not specific to V3. This molecular specificity is mirrored by previously reported differences in retinal microstructure and functional differences as revealed in behavioral experiments demonstrating differential advantages for stimulus processing in the upper and lower visual fields. We argue that these anatomical and functional differences may be regarded as the result of an evolutionary optimization adapting to the processing of the most relevant stimuli occurring in the upper and lower visual fields.