Abstract
The initial establishment of ocular dominance columns in visual cortex is believed to involve the segregation of overlapping geniculocortical axons into eye-specific patches based on patterns of correlated activity. However, we found that total removal of retinal influence early in visual development did not prevent segregation of geniculocortical axons into alternating stripes with periodicity normal for ocular dominance columns. Because the patterning of geniculocortical afferents resists this dramatic change in the level, source and pattern of spontaneous activity, we propose that formation of ocular dominance columns relies on molecular cues present on thalamic axons, cortical cells or both.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Aging
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Animals
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Animals, Newborn
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Axons / physiology
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Biotin / analogs & derivatives
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Biotin / metabolism
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Dextrans / metabolism
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Female
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Ferrets
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Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
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Geniculate Bodies / cytology
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Geniculate Bodies / growth & development
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Geniculate Bodies / physiology
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Male
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Microspheres
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Neurons, Afferent / physiology
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Retina / physiology*
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Retina / surgery
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Sensory Deprivation / physiology*
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Time Factors
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Vision, Ocular / physiology*
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Visual Cortex / cytology
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Visual Cortex / drug effects
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Visual Cortex / growth & development*
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Visual Cortex / physiology*
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Visual Pathways / growth & development*
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Visual Pathways / physiology
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Visual Perception / physiology
Substances
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Dextrans
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Fluorescent Dyes
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biotinylated dextran amine
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Biotin