Cortical Structure Predicts the Pattern of Corticocortical Connections

Cortical areas are linked through pathways which originate and terminate in specific layers. The factors underlying which layers are involved in specific connections are not well understood. Here we tested whether cortical structure can predict the pattern as well as the relative distribution of projection neurons and axonal terminals in cortical layers, studied with retrograde and anterograde tracers. We used the prefrontal cortices in the rhesus monkey as a model system because their laminar organization varies systematically, ranging from areas that have only three identifiable layers, to those that have six layers. We rated each prefrontal area based on the number and definition of its cortical layers (level 1, lowest; level 5, highest). The structural model accurately predicted the laminar pattern of connections in ~80% of the cases. Thus, projection neurons from a higher-level cortex originated mostly in the upper layers and their axons terminated predominantly in the deep layers (4–6) of a lower-level cortex. Conversely, most projection neurons from a lower-level area originated in the deep layers and their axons terminated predominantly in the upper layers (1–3) of a higher-level area. In addition, the structural model accurately predicted that the proportion of projection neurons or axonal terminals in the upper to the deep layers would vary as a function of the number of levels between the connected cortices. The power of this structural model lies in its potential to predict patterns of connections in the human cortex, where invasive procedures are precluded.



Figure 11. Summary of the pattern of connections predicted by the structural model. (A) Connections between cortices with large differences in laminar definition show a readily distinguishable pattern. (Top) Projection neurons originate predominantly in the deep layers of cortices with low laminar definition and their axons terminate predominantly in the upper layers of cortices with high laminar definition. (Bottom) The opposite pattern is seen for the reciprocal connections. (B) A less extreme version of the above pattern is predicted in the interconnections of cortices with moderate differences in laminar definition. (Top) Most neurons (though fewer than in A) originate in the deep layers of the cortex with comparatively lower laminar definition, and their axons terminate primarily in the upper layers of the cortex with comparatively higher laminar definition. (Bottom) The opposite pattern is predicted for the reciprocal connections.

Cortical Structure Predicts the Pattern of Corticocortical Connections.
H. Barbas and N. Rempel-Clower.
Cerebral Cortex Oct/Nov 1997;7:635–646; 1047–3211/97/

http://www.bu.edu/neural/Final/Publications/1997/Cereb%20Cortex.%201997%20Oct-Nov.%207(7)635-46.pdf