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Updated: May 20, 2026

Examining Local Network Processing using Multi-contact Laminar Electrode Recording
Published on: September 8, 2011
Intracortical convergence of layer 6 neurons
Charles C Lee1, Ying-Wan Lam, S Murray Sherman
1Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA. cclee@lsu.edu
Abstract:
Axonal branches from a subset of neurons in cerebral cortical layer 6 innervate both cortical layer 4 and the thalamus. As such, these neurons are poised to modulate thalamocortical transmission at multiple forebrain sites. Here, we examined the functional organization of the layer 6 intracortical projections in auditory, somatosensory, and visual cortical areas using an optogenetic approach to specifically target these neurons. We characterized the anatomical and physiological organization of these projections using laser-scanning photostimulation to functionally map the elicited postsynaptic responses in layer 4. We found that these responses originated from regions over 1 mm in width, eliciting short-term facilitating responses. These results indicate that intracortical modulation of layer 4 occurs through widespread layer 6 projections in each sensory cortical area.
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