Temporal Framing of Thalamic Relay-Mode Firing by Phasic Inhibition during the Alpha Rhythm

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.08.012
• Publication Date: 2009-09-11T09:54:59Z
• Authors: Magor L. Lőrincz; Katalin A. Kékesi; Gábor Juhász; Vincenzo Crunelli; Stuart W. Hughes
• Keywords: Lateral geniculate nucleus; Geniculate

Several aspects of perception, particularly those pertaining to vision, are closely linked the occipital alpha (α) rhythm. However, how α rhythm relates activity neurons that convey primary visual information is unknown. Here we show in behaving cats, thalamocortical lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) operate a conventional relay-mode form two groups where cumulative firing subject cyclic suppression centered on negative peak one group and positive other. This leads an effective temporal framing output results from phasic inhibition LGN interneurons, which turn rhythmically excited by exhibit high-threshold bursts. These provide potential cellular substrate for linking perception further underscore central role controlling spike timing during cognitively relevant brain oscillations.