title: Excitatory and inhibitory connections show selectivity in the neocortex.
abstract: The cerebral cortex is pivotal in information processing and higher brain function and its laminar structure of six distinct layers, each in receipt of a different constellation of inputs, makes it important to identify connectivity patterns and distinctions between excitatory and inhibitory pathways. The 'feedforward' projections from layer 4-3 and from 3-5 target pyramidal cells and to lesser degrees interneurones. 'Feedback' projections from layer 5-3 and from 3-4, on the other hand, mainly target interneurones. Understanding the microcircuitry may give some insight into the computation and information processing performed in this brain region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK. joanne.watts@ulsop.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: Alex M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019579:Neocortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000502:physiology