Neuronal connections in the primary auditory cortex: an electrophysiological study in the cat

Neuronal connections in the primary auditory cortex (AI) of the cat were studied electrophysiologically by using intracellular recording techniques. Fast-conducting fibers from the medial geniculate nucleus (MG) projected monosynaptically onto AI neurons in layers III-VI (mainly in layer IV), whereas slow-conducting MG-fibers projected monosynaptically onto AI neurons in layer I. AI neurons which received monosynaptic inputs from the auditory association cortices (AII and Ep) and/or from the contralateral AI were distributed in all layers of the AI; the commissural fibers from the contralateral AI were divided into fast- and slow-conducting ones. AI neurons were categorized into seven types: type I neurons which received monosynaptic inputs from slow-conducting MG-fibers were located in layer I. Type II neurons which received polysynaptic inputs from the MG were located in layers II-VI. Type III neurons which sent their axons to the AII or Ep were mainly located in layer III. Type IV neurons which sent their axons to the contralateral AI were located mainly in layer III. Type V neurons which received monosynaptic inputs from fast-conducting MG-fibers were located mainly in layer IV. Type VI neurons which projected onto the inferior colliculus were located in the upper part of the layer V. Type VII neurons which projected onto the MG were located in layers V and VI.