Intrinsic connections in tree shrew V1 imply a global to local mapping

Abstract

The local-global map hypothesis states that locally organized response properties––such as orientation preference––result from visuotopically organized local maps of non-retinotopic response properties. In the tree shrew, the lateral extent of horizontal patchy connections is as much as 80–100% of V1 and is consistent with the length summation property. We argue that neural signals can be transmitted across the entire extent of V1 and this allows the formation of maps at the local scale that are visuotopically organized. We describe mechanisms relevant to the formation of local maps and report modeling results showing the same patterns of horizontal connectivity, and relationships to orientation preference, seen in vivo. The structure of the connectivity that emerges in the simulations reveals a ‘hub and spoke’ organization. Singularities form the centers of local maps, and linear zones and saddle-points arise as smooth border transitions between maps. These findings are used to present the case for the local-global map hypothesis for tree shrew V1.