Interlayer Repulsion of Retinal Ganglion Cell Mosaics Regulates Spatial Organization of Functional Maps in the Visual Cortex

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1873-17.2017
• Publication Date: 2017-12-13T17:55:32Z
• Authors: Jaeson Jang; Se-Bum Paik
• Keywords: Spatial organization; Spatial frequency; Orientation column

In higher mammals, orientation tuning of neurons is organized into a quasi-periodic pattern in the primary visual cortex. Our previous model studies suggested that topography cortical maps may originate from moiré interference ON and OFF retinal ganglion cell (RGC) mosaics, but did not account for how consistent spatial period could be achieved. Here we address this issue with two crucial findings on development RGC mosaics: first, homotypic local repulsion between RGCs can develop long-range hexagonal periodicity. Second, heterotypic interaction restrains alignment generates periodic map frequency. To validate our model, quantitatively analyzed mosaics cat data, confirmed observed showed evidence interactions, contrary to view are developed independently. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Orientation one most studied functional brain, it has remained unanswered periodicity developed. current study, developmental origin map. We repulsive interactions cells (RGCs) restrict so they generate frequency both maps. results demonstrate organization cortex, including its structural consistency, constrained by blueprint.