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Effects of corticothalamic feedback depend on visual responsiveness and stimulus type
Lisa Schmors1, Ann H Kotkat2,3, Yannik Bauer2,3
1Hertie Institute for AI in Brain Health, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Iscience
|June 17, 2025
Summary
Modulatory inputs like corticothalamic (CT) feedback influence thalamic (dLGN) activity, especially for less responsive neurons. CT feedback impacts visual sensitivity and reliability, tuning the thalamic relay.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Thalamic circuitry
- Sensory processing
Background:
- The dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) integrates visual information with modulatory inputs.
- The precise role of corticothalamic (CT) feedback and behavioral state in shaping dLGN activity remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how CT feedback and behavioral state modulate dLGN neuronal activity.
- To determine the impact of these modulatory inputs on visual stimulus processing and neuronal responsiveness.
Main Methods:
- Extracellular recordings in the dLGN of mice viewing a movie stimulus.
- Optogenetic suppression of CT feedback.
- Tracking locomotion and pupil size to assess behavioral state.
- Generalized linear models to analyze single neuron responses.
Main Results:
- Including CT feedback and behavioral state significantly improved predictions of dLGN neuron activity.
- CT feedback's influence was more pronounced in the absence of patterned visual stimuli.
- Neurons sensitive to CT feedback showed enhanced visual stimulus discrimination when CT feedback was suppressed.
- Modulatory inputs differentially affected neurons based on their visual responsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Modulatory inputs, particularly CT feedback, play a crucial role in shaping dLGN activity.
- The impact of CT feedback is context-dependent, varying with stimulus presence and visual responsiveness.
- CT feedback modulates neuronal sensitivity and reliability, suggesting a role in tuning thalamic sensory relay.
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