Abstract
The segregation of figures from the background is an important step in generating a visual percept. In primary visual cortex (V1), figures evoke stronger neural firing than backgrounds but it is unknown how this figure-ground modulation (FGM) arises and whether it is necessary for perception. Here we show, using optogenetic silencing in mice, that FGM in V1 is necessary for figure-ground segregation. We find that the source of this enhanced activity is feedback from cortical higher visual areas. Neurons in higher areas also exhibit FGM and optogenetic silencing of higher areas strongly reduced FGM in V1. In V1, figures enhanced the activity of vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing interneurons and suppressed somatostatin-positive interneurons, causing an increased activation of the cortical column. Our results provide new insight in how lower and higher areas of the visual cortex interact with each other to shape visual perception.
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