Excitatory Neuronal Hubs Configure Multisensory Integration of Slow Waves in Association Cortex

Satoshi Kuroki, Takamasa Yoshida, Hidekazu Tsutsui, Mizuho Iwama, Reiko Ando, Takayuki Michikawa, Atsushi Miyawaki, Toshio Ohshima, Shigeyoshi Itohara*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Multisensory integration (MSI) is a fundamental emergent property of the mammalian brain. During MSI, perceptual information encoded in patterned activity is processed in multimodal association cortex. The systems-level neuronal dynamics that coordinate MSI, however, are unknown. Here, we demonstrate intrinsic hub-like network activity in the association cortex that regulates MSI. We engineered calcium reporter mouse lines based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer sensor yellow cameleon (YC2.60) expressed in excitatory or inhibitory neurons. In medial and parietal association cortex, we observed spontaneous slow waves that self-organized into hubs defined by long-range excitatory and local inhibitory circuits. Unlike directional source/sink-like flows in sensory areas, medial/parietal excitatory and inhibitory hubs had net-zero balanced inputs. Remarkably, multisensory stimulation triggered rapid phase-locking mainly of excitatory hub activity persisting for seconds after the stimulus offset. Therefore, association cortex tends to form balanced excitatory networks that configure slow-wave phase-locking for MSI. Video Abstract [Figure presented] Kuroki et al. performed cell-type-specific, wide-field FRET-based calcium imaging to visualize cortical network activity induced by multisensory inputs. They observed phase-locking of cortical slow waves in excitatory neuronal hubs in association cortical areas that may underlie multisensory integration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2873-2885
Number of pages13
JournalCell Reports
Volume22
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Mar 13

Keywords

  • association cortex
  • cortical slow waves
  • excitatory neuron
  • fluorescence resonance energy transfer
  • inhibitory neuron
  • mouse
  • multisensory integration
  • phase locking
  • spontaneous activity
  • wide-field calcium imaging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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