Do cross-modal projections always result in multisensory integration?

Cereb Cortex. 2008 Sep;18(9):2066-76. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhm230. Epub 2008 Jan 17.

Abstract

Convergence of afferents from different sensory modalities has generally been thought to produce bimodal (and trimodal) neurons (i.e., exhibit suprathreshold excitation to more than 1 sensory modality). Consequently, studies identifying cross-modal connections assume that such convergence results in bimodal (or trimodal) neurons that produce familiar forms of multisensory integration: response enhancement or depression. The present study questioned that assumption by anatomically identifying a projection from ferret auditory to visual cortex Area 21. However, electrophysiological recording within Area 21 not only failed to identify a single bimodal neuron but also familiar forms of multisensory integration were not observed either. Instead, a small proportion of neurons (9%; 27/296) showed subthreshold multisensory integration, in which visual responses were significantly modulated by auditory inputs. Such subthreshold multisensory effects were enhanced by gamma-aminobutyric acid antagonism, whereby a majority of neurons (87%; 20/23) now participated in a significant, multisensory population effect. Thus, multisensory convergence does not de facto result in bimodal (or trimodal) neurons or the traditional forms of multisensory integration. However, the fact that unimodal neurons exhibited a subthreshold form of multisensory integration not only affirms the relationship between convergence and integration but also expands our understanding of the functional repertoire of multisensory processing itself.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Auditory Cortex / cytology
  • Auditory Cortex / physiology*
  • Auditory Pathways / cytology
  • Auditory Pathways / physiology*
  • Bicuculline / analogs & derivatives
  • Bicuculline / pharmacology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Ferrets
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Iontophoresis
  • Neural Inhibition / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Parietal Lobe / cytology
  • Parietal Lobe / physiology*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / physiology
  • Sensory Thresholds / drug effects
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology*
  • Visual Cortex / cytology
  • Visual Cortex / physiology*
  • Visual Pathways / cytology
  • Visual Pathways / physiology*

Substances

  • GABA Antagonists
  • bicuculline methiodide
  • Bicuculline