Routing information flow by separate neural synchrony frequencies allows for functionally labeled lines in higher primate cortex (Data underlying result figures)

Efficient
transfer of sensory information to higher (motor or associative) areas in
primate visual cortical areas is crucial for transforming sensory input into
behavioral actions. Dynamically increasing the level of coordination between
single neurons has been suggested as an important contributor to this efficiency.
We propose, that differences between the functional coordination in different
visual pathways might be used to unambiguously identify the source of input to
the higher areas, ensuring a proper routing of the information flow.

Here we
determined the level of coordination between neurons in area MT in macaque
visual cortex in a visual attention task via the strength of synchronization
between the neurons’ spike timing relative to the phase of oscillatory
activities in local field potentials (LFPs). In contrast to reports on the
ventral visual pathway, we observed the synchrony of spikes only in the range
of high-gamma (180-220 Hz), rather than gamma (40-70 Hz) (as reported
previously) to predict the animal’s reaction speed. This supports a mechanistic
role of the phase of high-gamma oscillatory activity in dynamically modulating
the efficiency of neuronal information transfer.

In
addition, for inputs to higher cortical areas converging from the dorsal and
ventral pathway, the distinct frequency bands of these inputs can be leveraged
to preserve the identity of the input source. In this way source-specific
oscillatory activity in primate cortex can serve to establish and maintain
‘functionally labeled lines’ for dynamically adjusting cortical information transfer
and multiplexing converging sensory signals.

Material
provided on Figshare:

To provide
open access to the data underlying the figures of this publication the authors
provide the corresponding files here on Figshare.

In addition, the publication in PNAS is freely
available through an Open Access option.