Laminar distribution and convergence of deep and superficial peripheral inputs in the forelimb representation of rat SI somatosensory cortex.
The laminar distribution of single unit responses to stimulation of peripheral nerves (deep and superficial radial nerves) or to stimulation of peripheral receptive fields has been studied in the forelimb representation of the first somatic sensory cortex (SI) of the rat. 1. Under both conditions the majority of the responding units was located in layers IV, V and VI of the cortical area containing dense neuronal aggregates in layer IV. 2. Following electrical stimulation of the deep radial nerve (DRN) and of the superficial radial nerve (SRN), 18.9% of the neurons were observed to receive convergent inputs from both nerves. 3. Following natural stimulation of the forelimb, no evidence of convergent inputs on single neurons was obtained. 4. There was no clear submodality segregation in the receptive fields observed during vertical penetration.
D000818:Animals; D005552:Forelimb / Q000294:innervation*; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*