Electrophysiological evidence for a direct neuronal connection from the motor cortex to the parietal association cortex of the cat

Abstract

Neuronal responses of the parietal association cortex to motor cortex stimulation were studied intracellularly in anaesthetized cats. Antidromic responses and monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) of ipsilateral anterior suprasylvian and lateral gyri neurons have been established. Oligo- and postsynaptic EPSPs were also recorded. Some cells reacted with both antidromic and orthodromic excitation. It is concluded that, besides the well-known parietal-to-motor cortex projection, there is also a reciprocal link from the motor cortex back to the parietal association cortex.