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Synchronization of neuronal responses in the optic tectum of awake pigeons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Sergio Neuenschwander ,
Andreas K. Engel ,
Peter König ,
Wolf Singer  and
Francisco J. Varela
Andreas K. Engel
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstraße 46, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Peter König
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstraße 46, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Wolf Singer
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstraße 46, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Francisco J. Varela
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstraße 46, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Abstract

Multiunit activity was recorded in the optic tectum of awake pigeons with two electrodes at sites varying in depth and separated by 0.3 to 3.0 mm. Autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions were computed from the recorded spike trains to determine temporal relationships in the neuronal firing patterns. Cross-correlation analysis revealed that spatially separate groups of cells in the tectum show synchronous responses to a visual stimulus. Strong synchronization occurred in both superficial and deep layers of the tectum, in general with zero-phase shift. The response synchronization in the avian optic tectum resembles that observed in the mammalian cortex, suggesting that it may subserve common functions in visual processing.

Keywords

Temporal codingSynchronizationOscillationOptic tectumPigeon
Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , May 1996 , pp. 575 - 584
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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