Interhemispheric Synchronization of Oscillatory Neuronal Responses in Cat Visual Cortex

TLDR

Neurons in cat visual cortex area 17 exhibit stimulus‑specific oscillatory responses that can synchronize across spatially separate columns, supporting the idea that temporal synchrony binds visual features within and between hemifields. Interhemispheric synchronization of area 17 neurons was observed, but was eliminated by corpus callosum section, indicating corticocortical connections mediate this synchrony.

Abstract

Neurons in area 17 of cat visual cortex display oscillatory responses that can synchronize across spatially separate columns in a stimulus-specific way. Response synchronization has now been shown to occur also between neurons in area 17 of the right and left cerebral hemispheres. This synchronization was abolished by section of the corpus callosum. Thus, the response synchronization is mediated by corticocortical connections. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that temporal synchrony of neuronal discharges serves to bind features within and between the visual hemifields.