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dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11401/76583
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.en_US
dc.formatMonograph
dc.format.mediumElectronic Resourceen_US
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherThe Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
dc.typeDissertation
dcterms.abstractThe lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is the region of the thalamus that innervates and relays sensory information to the primary visual cortex (V1). Thalamocortical (TC) input from the LGN drives the activity of V1, and underlies the health and function of the visual system. However, little is known about the synaptic properties of this input. LGN inputs innervate two layers, layer 4 (L4) and layer 6 (L6). This input has been examined functionally and anatomically, but the synaptic mechanisms of this input are poorly understood. The anatomy of the projection from the LGN to V1 encumbers the preparation of an acute thalamocortical slice, thus direct electrophysiological investigations of TC synapses onto V1 neurons have not been done. In this study, I use optogenetics to selectively activate TC terminals in an acute slice preparation containing V1 and recorded postsynaptic currents from V1 neurons to investigate TC synaptic properties. I show that TC inputs to V1 have layer-specific synaptic properties, organization, and experience dependence. I have shown that TC inputs to L4, which receives the largest LGN projection, have target cell-type specific properties which are mediated by distinct pre-and postsynaptic mechanisms. Finally, I have shown a novel mechanism of feedback from the V1 circuit onto TC synapses, which is mediated by presynaptic GABAA receptors on TC terminals. Taken together, these results outline mechanisms for TC activation of the V1 circuit.
dcterms.available2017-09-20T16:50:42Z
dcterms.contributorFontanini, Alfredoen_US
dcterms.contributorMaffei, Ariannaen_US
dcterms.contributorWollmuth, Lonnieen_US
dcterms.contributorMatthews, Gary G.en_US
dcterms.contributorNugent, Fereshteh.en_US
dcterms.creatorKloc, Michelle
dcterms.dateAccepted2017-09-20T16:50:42Z
dcterms.dateSubmitted2017-09-20T16:50:42Z
dcterms.descriptionDepartment of Neuroscience.en_US
dcterms.extent137 pg.en_US
dcterms.formatApplication/PDFen_US
dcterms.formatMonograph
dcterms.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/11401/76583
dcterms.issued2014-12-01
dcterms.languageen_US
dcterms.provenanceMade available in DSpace on 2017-09-20T16:50:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kloc_grad.sunysb_0771E_12093.pdf: 2954324 bytes, checksum: e774bb913e1c69c2a740fac6844dbbb4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1en
dcterms.publisherThe Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
dcterms.subjectNeurosciences
dcterms.subjectLateral geniculate nucleus, Primary visual cortex, Thalamocortical
dcterms.titleThalamocortical Input to the Primary Visual Cortex
dcterms.typeDissertation


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