Frequency dependent corticofugal excitation of principal cells in the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

Exp Brain Res. 1990;79(2):313-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00608240.

Abstract

Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were evoked in principal cells of the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus by electrical stimulation of cortico-geniculate fibres. The EPSPs had a pronounced frequency sensitivity. They were barely detectable at stimulation frequencies below 3 Hz but increased dramatically in size at higher frequencies. At 30-50 Hz their amplitude typically exceeded that of EPSPs from optic tract fibres. A prominent EPSP potentiation was also obtained with pair pulse stimulation. The findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the cortico-geniculate system serves as a variable gain regulator for the visual input to the cortex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Geniculate Bodies / physiology*
  • Visual Cortex / physiology*
  • Visual Pathways / physiology