An understanding of neuronal circuitry within the brain has important implications for diseases of circuits such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The visual system is an ideal model in which to study neural circuitry because it is precisely organized and much is known about its cellular and compartmental components. This proposal examines the function and anatomy of an important, yet elusive, pathway within the visual system: the corticogeniculate feedback pathway. Geniculate-projecting neurons in primary visual cortex which constitute the corticogeniculate pathway in the visual system will be studied using a three-tiered experimental approach. The first experiment involves recording from individual geniculate-projecting neurons within primary visual cortex in the conscious animal in order to elucidate their function in vivo. In the second experiment, individual geniculate-projecting neurons are identified by their physiology and labeled such that their sub-laminar location can be determined. The third experiment involves identifying the locations and morphological identities of geniculate-projecting neurons targeting specific regions of the lateral geniculate nucleus.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32EY015580-01
Application #
6790845
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F02B (20))
Program Officer
Oberdorfer, Michael
Project Start
2004-04-01
Project End
2007-03-31
Budget Start
2004-04-01
Budget End
2005-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$42,976
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2011) Corticogeniculate feedback and visual processing in the primate. J Physiol 589:33-40
Briggs, Farran (2010) Organizing principles of cortical layer 6. Front Neural Circuits 4:3
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2009) Modulation of gamma-band activity across local cortical circuits. Front Integr Neurosci 3:15
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2009) Parallel processing in the corticogeniculate pathway of the macaque monkey. Neuron 62:135-46
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2008) Emerging views of corticothalamic function. Curr Opin Neurobiol 18:403-7
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2007) Cortical activity influences geniculocortical spike efficacy in the macaque monkey. Front Integr Neurosci 1:3
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2007) A fast, reciprocal pathway between the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex in the macaque monkey. J Neurosci 27:5431-6
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2005) Temporal properties of feedforward and feedback pathways between the thalamus and visual cortex in the ferret. Thalamus Relat Syst 3:133-139
Briggs, Farran; Usrey, W Martin (2004) A shrewd insight for vision. Nat Neurosci 7:796-7