Study of the cortical representation of whisker directional deflection using voltage-sensitive dye optical imaging

Neuroimage. 2010 Oct 15;53(1):233-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.06.022. Epub 2010 Jun 15.

Abstract

Using voltage-sensitive dye optical imaging methods, we visualized neural activity in the rat barrel cortex in response to the deflection of a single whisker in different directions. Obtained data indicates that fast movements of single whiskers in varying directions correlate with different patterns of activation in the somatosensory cortex. A functional map was created based on the voltage-sensitive dye optical signal. This supports prior research that vibrissae deflections cause responses in different cortical neurons within the barrel field according to the direction of the deflection. By analogy with the orientation columns in the visual cortex, directionally biased single-whisker responses to different directions of deflection could be a possible mechanism for the directional selectivity of this important sensory response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology*
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Male
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*
  • Touch / physiology*
  • Vibrissae / innervation
  • Vibrissae / physiology*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes