The logic of single-cell projections from visual cortex

Yunyun Han, Justus M. Kebschull, Robert A. A. Campbell, Devon Cowan, Fabia Imhof, Anthony M. Zador () and Thomas D. Mrsic-Flogel ()
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Yunyun Han: School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Justus M. Kebschull: Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor
Robert A. A. Campbell: Biozentrum, University of Basel
Devon Cowan: Biozentrum, University of Basel
Fabia Imhof: Biozentrum, University of Basel
Anthony M. Zador: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor
Thomas D. Mrsic-Flogel: Biozentrum, University of Basel

Nature, 2018, vol. 556, issue 7699, 51-56

Abstract: Abstract Neocortical areas communicate through extensive axonal projections, but the logic of information transfer remains poorly understood, because the projections of individual neurons have not been systematically characterized. It is not known whether individual neurons send projections only to single cortical areas or distribute signals across multiple targets. Here we determine the projection patterns of 591 individual neurons in the mouse primary visual cortex using whole-brain fluorescence-based axonal tracing and high-throughput DNA sequencing of genetically barcoded neurons (MAPseq). Projections were highly diverse and divergent, collectively targeting at least 18 cortical and subcortical areas. Most neurons targeted multiple cortical areas, often in non-random combinations, suggesting that sub-classes of intracortical projection neurons exist. Our results indicate that the dominant mode of intracortical information transfer is not based on ‘one neuron–one target area’ mapping. Instead, signals carried by individual cortical neurons are shared across subsets of target areas, and thus concurrently contribute to multiple functional pathways.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/nature26159

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